Our Five Tips to Help You Get the Benefits You Deserve
A denial can be crushing.
You’re confused—why did I get denied? It’s understandable to feel betrayed, even. You’re the one going through the tough time, right? How could these people deny you the benefits you need to keep going?
Know this: A denial of your application isn’t the end.
You have multiple chances to win benefits on appeal. Your best opportunity comes at an appeals hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ), which represents your only chance to plead your case in person.
If you’re at this stage, it’s understandable to worry. A lot is riding on this hearing. We want to help.
Here are our five tips on how to give yourself the best chance to win benefits at an appeals hearing:
Be There and Arrive on Time
This is the first thing you should absolutely make sure you do, if possible. If the ALJ can’t put a face to a situation, it makes your case weaker. Not showing up at your appeals hearing could jeopardize your chances of winning benefits.
Make Sure to Submit Any New Evidence
You can submit any new medical evidence at your appeals hearing. Specifically, it’s best to present evidence from the time period between your initial application and your hearing to show how your condition continues to affect you.
Usually, judges want you to submit your evidence before the hearing.
Be Honest
This is crucial. If the judge, or any witnesses, find any faults in your application and evidence, you’ll likely be denied again. To have any chance of winning, your materials should be clear, concise, accurate and truthful.
Ask the Vocational Expert the Right Questions
Often, the ALJ will request a vocational expert attend the hearing and offer unbiased insights on if you’re able to work with your ailment. This is one of the most important parts of your appeal.
You need to be prepared for what a vocational expert might say, and you need to have good questions to ask in the cross-examination period.
Hire Representation
It all sounds exhausting, right?
You don’t have to go through it alone. If you hire a competent, experienced disability lawyer, you’ll have someone on your side who knows what questions to ask and how to present your case.
In fact, a Government Office of Accountability study found you’re three times as likely to win benefits at an appeals hearing if you hire a representative.
Don’t take a chance when it comes to winning the benefits you need.
And if you’re in Columbia or anywhere in Mid-Missouri, call the law offices of Karen Kraus Bill today. We want to help you.
Click Here for more Strategies to win a Disability Benefits Appeal Hearing
Remember, you only have 60-days or less to contest the denial of a Social Security Disability Benefits application and it is your right to appeal the decision made on your claim.