Your SSI Hearing: What To Do

After months of a long application process for disability benefits, it may finally be time to appear at a SSI/SSDI hearing. Your actions and overall performance will be scrutinized by someone who will recommend whether benefits are granted to you or not. The hearing might mean a lot to you because you may desperately need money for help with medication, household bills and other items as a result of your disability. Therefore, you must know to do these four things.

1-Assemble Documents

It's vital that any document or information the hearing judge asks for is present and easily accessible. Of particular importance are documents that discuss treatment plans and any explanation for lapses in treatment. If you've not retained a SSI/SSDI attorney, now is the time. They understand what the judge will want and can help you assemble all required documents.

2-Run Through Prep Questions

Another reason for professional legal help is that they can help prepare your hearing performance. By peppering you with likely questions and helping you answer well, they can help you feel more at ease at court later. 

3-Be Specific

When it's time to plead your case in court, you may feel reluctant to expand too much in your statements. However, remember that the judge has already familiarized themselves with your application and already has certain information. They want to learn more about how, specifically, your disability affects working and personal life for you. For example, they may ask for descriptions of your mornings or your bedtime routine.

When asked these questions, it's good to be as detailed and specific you can. Talk about the difficulty you have sitting up, for instance. Explain how long it takes to prepare meals or that your pain prevents you from these things. Vivid descriptions can often illuminate the depth of your disability.

4-Avoid Exaggerating

Because you might really need the extra money disability benefits offer, you might begin to overstate your injuries and disabilities. You might claim your pain is far greater than it truly is, for instance. However, exaggerations could be troublesome. You may unwittingly give information that is directly at odds with details in your application or otherwise conflict with your submitted medical data. Once the judge suspects you aren't being sincere, your benefits are in jeopardy.

Be honest and prepared for your SSI/SSDI hearing as best you can. Your lawyer-client relationship should enable you to feel confident and comfortable about your chances for benefits approval. For more information, contact an experienced lawyer like Glen Cook Social Security Attorney.