Supplemental Security Income

Your testimony at the Social Security Disability hearing can make the difference between winning and losing.

If you irritate the Judge it will not help your cause.

If you explain your problems and limitations in a convincing manner, then a Judge who may be leaning your way will usually find you disabled.

How do you avoid making the Judge suspicious or making the Judge mad.

If the medical records contain something that looks bad such as references to alcohol or drug abuse you will need to explain how you have had substance abuse treatment or how often you attend AA meetings.

If the medical records indicate that you are doing well, then you will have to explain how your pain will wax and wane at times or that you do better at times but the pain still makes so that you have take frequent rest breaks.

Answering the questions in a straight forward manner and believable way helps immensely.

This means that you cannot be too extreme and tell that the Judge that you are unable to do nothing. That you cannot do any chores or daily activities.That your pain is beyond a 10 all the time. People have good and bad days with a range of functioning. You should have your spouse or a friend ready to write a letter or testify that about your problems and limitations.

You can also fail to tell the Judge your real problems and pretend like you can do more than you are truly able to perform.

In addition, you should be able to explain how the pain interferes with your concentration, and makes you lose focus. How you need to nap and rest after your activities because of pain and fatigue from your medications.

A successful finding of disability depends on proper and consistent medical treatment, documented limitations, and convincing testimony at your hearing.

Questions about your disability claim? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.