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1. Exaggerate your symptoms. The Social Security Judges spend their day listening to people testify about their conditions and limitations. They can tell when someone is going overboard.

2. Minimize your problems. Believe it or not sometimes people do not go into enough detail about their pain and limitations. See above. You have to hit the right balance when you testify.

3. Do not go to a doctor. Do not waste your time filing for Social Security Disability if you are not going to get treatment. It is not always easy, but you absolutely have to get to the doctor.

4. Give up when you get denied. Most of the people who file for Social Security Disability get turned down several times. You have to keep appealing.

5. Ignore the rules. You have to understand what the ALJ is looking for when he is asking you questions, and when he questions the vocational expert.

I think it is very rare for this to happen.

There are just too many people who file for disability, and the Federal Government does not have enough money to chase after people.

However, if someone is receiving Social Security Disability or SSI and the Government receives a tip that they are committing fraud, then I think the Government is very aggressive in investigating it.

This is a criminal violation and you are subject to imprisonment if convicted.

Social Security employees also take it seriously when someone contacts them and reports that they think a person is not really disabled at the application stage.

If you do not get treatment you will be denied.

The Administrative Law Judge looks at your medical records when they decide your case.

If you have no treatment or not much treatment you will lose your Social Security Disability case.

I realize it is often very difficult to get medical treatment without health insurance but there are ways to get needed treatment.

You can apply for a state medical card.

You can apply for charity care through local hospitals.

You can apply for free or reduced price clinics.

You can go to community mental health clinics.

Again, none of this is easy. However, you must try very hard to get the needed medical treatment.

It is worth it in the end, when you are found disabled.

Do not give up!

There are 2 levels before the hearing. The people who review the applications are swamped with files. They probably only take a few minutes to determine whether you are eligible.

You cannot quit if you are denied at these levels. You must appeal.

The Administrative Law Judge will give your case the most detailed review than the lower levels. The Judge is a lawyer who knows the Social Security laws and rules.

But what if you are denied at the Hearing level?

You can still appeal after the hearing. It is rare to see a reversal from the Appeals Council, however, remands for another hearing happen more often.

I have also seen cases when a person is denied at hearing, and a new application is filed and Social Security will approve the person for disability benefits.

None of this will happen if you give up.

Social Security looks beyond the diagnosis of back problems.

For example, back strains, herniated discs, discectomies, and fusions.

But the practical aspect of Social Security Disability is that surgeries, especially multiple surgeries, for back problems are important to the Judges.

Ongoing pain management is also important. The prescription of narcotic pain medications can limit your daily activities because of side effects.

Social Security wants to know how a person’s functions are limited.

Does pain reduce your concentration?

Do you spend most of your time reclining or lying down?

Is your lifting limited to small amounts?

Questions about your back condition and Social Security Disability? Feel free to call Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.