Help

Autism is a condition that may lead to finding of disability pursuant to the Social Security rules and law.

The key to whether a person is disabled is the severity of the condition.

Some people with autism may be able to function to the extent that they can hold a job and earn more than $1000 per month.

If you can do this, then Social Security will decide that you are not disabled.

However, if you are not able to work or can only work part-time with help then you would be found disabled.

The important factors that a Judge will examine is your ability to concentrate, to stay on task, and perform in a work environment.

If you need assistance from a job coach, or your boss gives you extra time to perform your job, or you need other workers to help you out then this is not competitive employment and you should be found disabled.

To prove this help is needed you should ask the employer to provide a letter describing the assistance given and why it is necessary.

You should also have a psychologist, counselor or psychiatrist write a letter describing the symptoms and severity of your autistic condition.

Family and friends may also write letters describing problems carrying out daily activities.

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

A Social Security Disability hearing is not something that most people have experience with.

You only go to one hearing. Maybe two if you lose and reapply.

As a Social Security Disability lawyer in Illinois I have been to probably over a thousand hearings.

I have seen almost everything.

You need to know what to expect before you appear before the Judge.

First, the hearing is not a place to argue with the Judge.

The Social Security Judge is not responsible for you being denied at the lower levels.

It will not help you win if you get mad with the Judge.

You should listen carefully to what the Judge is asking you before you answer.

The Judge is trying to learn about your work background and experience, your medical treatment, your pain, your limitations, your daily activities and the chores you can handle.

If you ramble or are vague, then the Judge is not able to get a clear picture of how your condition effects you.

If you appear evasive or do not fully explain your problems the Judge will not be able to make an informed decision in your case.

The best way to prepare for your hearing is think through how your condition has progressed, what medical treatments you have had, how you spend a typical day, and how life has changed for you since your injury or illness.

You should also ask family or friends to write out their view of how you are limited and what others do to help you out.

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

I have had several people come in my office recently who have represented themselves in their Social Security Disability hearing.

There are several problems people have who represent themselves.

They do not get updated medical records.

Social Security Disability is all about the medical treatment you have had.

The Judge will listen to your testimony about your problems and limitations, but if you do not have medical records to support your history of complaints, surgeries, medications, injections, restrictions then you will lose your case.

They do not understand why the Judge is asking the questions they do at the hearing.

The most basic question is can you work a job.

You must be prepared to explain what limitations you have that will keep you from working.

If the Judge asks you if can do a less stressful job and you say I think so, then you have most likely lost your case.

Are you able to explain why you can do some chores at home but not able to work a full time job?

They do not understand what the vocational expert is saying or why they are saying it.

Are you able to ask the right questions of the vocational expert to get them to the point where they will testify that you cannot work any job?

The bottom line is that most people do not understand that an experienced Social Security lawyer does not charge a fee unless you win your case and their fee is controlled by the Federal government.

Questions about your case and the best way to win? Feel free to call Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.