What Are the Signs That You Lost Your Disability Hearing?

It’s important to know what can indicate that a hearing isn’t going your way so you can counter what’s happening and be prepared for the next stages of the appeals process.

Even more important is having an experienced disability attorney by your side who recognizes warning signs, asserts your case for disability benefits, and makes sure your story gets told.

Watch out for:

• The judge doubts your testimony: The judge will ask questions at your hearing. Being asked to explain your case isn’t a red flag. It’s a problem if the judge is asking questions that seem to suggest they think you could work even with your health issues.
• The judge seems to need more information: If the judge asks a lot of questions on points that should have been clear from your application, it could indicate there wasn’t enough information in your file. That can be a bad sign because Social Security Disability claims require a significant amount of evidence.
• Your testimony conflicts with what’s in your file: If the judge points out that something you’re saying at your hearing disagrees with evidence in your Social Security file, that can cast doubt on your disability claim. A disability lawyer who has handled many hearings knows how to explain and update your situation.
• Expert witnesses seem to think you could work: Medical and vocational experts can testify at disability hearings. If those witnesses seem determined to say that your health problems aren’t severe enough to stop working, that could be a problem.
• You weren’t able to properly cross-examine witnesses: When a medical or vocational expert testifies about your condition, you’re allowed to question them. This is tough to do on your own, and another reason having a Michigan disability lawyer can be so valuable.

Knowing how to spot signs that you lost your disability hearing is good, but it’s even better to properly prepare for your day in front of an administrative law judge.

Start with a FREE disability claim consultation.

There are no guarantees, but knowing more about what to expect from a disability hearing and properly preparing can help.

We recommend taking time to make sure that:

• You have filed extensive medical records.
• Nothing is missing from your disability claim.
• You’ve responded to SSA requests for more information.
• You’re ready to explain exactly how your health impacts your daily routine.
• You have written statements from loved ones and coworkers who have witnessed your health struggles firsthand.
• You’re prepared to argue that you are unable to work any job, not just your current or most recent one.

You should also know what kinds of questions to expect and how to answer them clearly and concisely.

The judge may ask you questions like:

• What kinds of symptoms do you experience?
• Are you using your prescribed medications?
• Are you sticking to a treatment plan?
• What does a typical day look like for you?
• What kind of education and vocational training do you have?
• What tasks did your last job require you to do?
• Would you be able to work a less physically or mentally taxing job?

You don’t want to oversell your health issues, so you don’t use words like “never” or “impossible” when you answer the judge’s questions.

At the same time, you don’t want to downplay your symptoms either. This is a tough tightrope to walk.

The Levine Benjamin Michigan Social Security Disability lawyers can help you with all of this, so you can walk into your hearing prepared and confident.

This is likely your best chance to make your case for disability benefits, and we want to give you all the support you need to get back on the path to financial stability.

Contact Us Now.