Social Security Disability - Williams & Swee, Ltd.

Making the Best Impression at Your Trial

Dirk May Help, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Workers Compensation January 21, 2016January 21, 2016Illinois Social Security Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, Illinois Work Comp Attorney, Illinois Work Comp Lawyer

The impression you make on the Social Security Judge or the Workers’ Compensation Arbitrator can make a big difference in your case.

The Judge will be determining whether you are telling the truth.

Much of this depends on first impressions, how believable is your story, and how it coincides with your medical records.

If you are mean, disrespectful, or nonresponsive to the Judge, then you can be expect to be denied.

Judges are human and they have much power over you and your case.

So make sure that you are polite, respectful and listen carefully to the questions and answer appropriately.

Your story must make sense.

For instance, if you tell the Judge you cannot work but spend much of the day volunteering or engaging in physically draining activities do not expect to the Judge to believe you are disabled.

If you are caught on surveillance video engaged in dancing, lifting heavy loads or working on a roof do not expect the Arbitrator to look favorably on your case.

Your medical records must also support your testimony.

This means you must go to the doctor as needed and explain your problems and limitations.

Questions about making your case strong as possible? Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Test your Social Security knowledge – HeraldCourier.com: Community News

Dirk May In the news, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Your questions January 20, 2016January 20, 2016Bloomington Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, Bloomington Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, Disability information, help

National Trivia Day reminds us that knowledge about Social Security empowers you and prepares you for retirement.

Source: Test your Social Security knowledge – HeraldCourier.com: Community News

Take this quiz and test your Social Security Disability knowledge. SSDI is not a welfare program. You pay your taxes to support this program and entitled to benefits if you can no longer work.

Why Is My Disability or Workers’ Compensation Case Taking So Long?

Dirk May Help, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Workers Compensation January 14, 2016January 14, 2016Bloomington IL Work Comp Lawyer, Bloomington Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, help, Social Security Disability, Work Comp

Why does it take so long for most cases to reach completion?

Is it the lawyer who is so slow?

Why can’t I just get an answer within a month or two and get on with my life?

First of all, a government agency runs the Social Security System. It usually takes approximately 6 months at each level and 12 months to get a hearing. This means that it can take over 2 years to get a hearing and then another month or two to receive a written decision from the Judge.

The reason for this is that there are thousands of cases filed all over the country each month. There are not enough workers to process the cases.

There are also thousands of cases at each hearing center. There are only a handful of judges at each hearing site. This slows down the process.

The Social Security Administration schedules all the hearings. Your lawyer cannot call up and schedule a hearing for you. This is different than many cases where the lawyer has some control over scheduling of trials and hearings. Your lawyer is at the mercy of Social Security in scheduling your hearing.

Illinois Workers’ Compensation cases can only move forward when your medical treatment is completed. This often slows down your case if you are not healing properly or quickly, or need multiple surgeries.

Another thing that bogs down your Work Comp case is that it takes a long time to get your doctor’s deposition. A deposition is testimony of your doctor to support your case before a court reporter. Doctor’s are busy and her schedule and the schedules of your attorney and the insurance attorney must be arranged for the deposition.

Finally, the case must be set for trial. This takes several months to fit into the schedule of the Arbitrator ( the Judge for your Work Comp case).

Questions about your Social Security Disability case or Illinois Workers’ Compensation case? Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Who Qualifies for Social Security Disability Benefits? | Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, CFP

Dirk May Help, Illinois, In the news, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income December 15, 2015December 15, 2015benefits, denied, help, Illinois Social Security Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, win

I wish there was a quick and easy answer to your question, but unfortunately there’s nothing quick and easy about Social Security disability benefits (SSDI). There are a lot of rules and regulations regarding these benefits, and it’s tough to qualify for them.

Source: Who Qualifies for Social Security Disability Benefits? | Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, CFP

Click above to read.

Getting Social Security Disability benefits is not easy and is getting harder because more people are being denied at the application stage, reconsideration and before the Administrative Law Judge. Make sure get an experienced Illinois Social Security lawyer to help you right away.