how to prepare for ssi attorney call

When choosing the right SSI attorney, you can contrast and compare attorneys online before you make a phone call. Then contact the attorney that is the best fit for you and your case. An SSI Attorney Doesn’t Charge Upfront. It’s important for you to know that an SSI lawyer collects a fee only if they win your case.

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How can I prepare for my telephone hearing for SSDI?

Nov 19, 2018 · If you’ve found a disability attorney who will meet with you to talk about your Social Security disability claim, it’s important to go to that meeting prepared. If the lawyer sees that you're organized and can explain your disability concisely, …

What happens when I first call a disability attorney?

May 17, 2018 · For Help Preparing for Your Social Security Disability Hearing, Call the Disability Advantage Group, at 865-566-0800 for a Free Case Evaluation. The attorneys at the Disability Advantage Group, can help you have a successful Social Security Disability hearing. We want to give you the best chance of winning the benefits you deserve.

When will I be contacted for an SSI interview?

Oct 16, 2020 · Evidence needs to be requested and gathered. It is important to properly prepare for a hearing with a judge. A lawyer that knows social security disability law will be able to explain what happens in a social security disability hearing. That lawyer can help you prepare to answer the questions the judge is going to ask…in the right way.

What kind of questions are asked when applying for SSI?

Hiring the right SSI attorney can make all the difference in your case. Millions of Americans are unable to work due to a disability. Thankfully, the Social Security Administration has put in place the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. This program pays monthly benefits to disabled individuals with limited income and resources.

What can you not say at a disability hearing?

Do not say things like, “I want to work” or “If I could work, I would.” By saying such statements, a judge may get the picture that you could possibly work. The point is that there are some people with extreme disabilities who do work but this is not the point that you should be making at your hearing.

What questions will SSI ask?

The SSA will try to evaluate the severity of your illness and whether or not it's expected to improve. You may be asked about your ability to care for yourself or do daily activities, such as cooking, shopping, cleaning, etc. You may be asked how long you're able to sit, walk, or stand or how much you can lift.

How do you explain your daily activities to a ALJ judge?

0:022:31How to Describe Your Daily Activities at Your Disability Hearing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJudges always ask about daily. Activities. They ask how you spend a usual day. They use yourMoreJudges always ask about daily. Activities. They ask how you spend a usual day. They use your description to figure out whether or not your daily activities are consistent with the symptoms.

How do you answer a disability hearing question?

Tips When Answering Disability Judge QuestionsBe direct and concise. ... Be Honest – Even if you think your answer might harm your case. ... If you don't understand a question, ask for it to be repeated. ... Be prepared. ... Contemplate your answers to key questions.

What is a SSI phone interview?

An SSI appointment is a financial interview to see if you are eligible for SSI. Basically, they are checking to see how poor you are. They also ask about your household, living situation, and rent, to help decide how much SSI you will get. This interview only happens for SSI. It does not happen for SSDI.Jul 31, 2019

What do I need for SSI phone interview?

What You Need for Your Phone Interview of Online SSI ApplicationsDates you last worked.Your doctor's names, address, phone numbers, and dates of visits.Names of medications you take.Names of medical tests you've had.Marital information.More items...•Apr 21, 2021

How would you describe pain to a disability judge?

Pain is often hard to describe, but you should do your best to relate your pain as specifically as possible to the judge. This would include telling the judge what type of pain you experience (burning, stabbing, etc.), how often you experience it, and how you would quantify it (for example, on a scale of 1 to 10).

How do you answer an ALJ question?

When answering an ALJ's questions, we recommend to our clients that they:Stay on subject and don't ramble.Be honest.Be prepared to explain any discrepancies that may be in their record.Don't be embarrassed or offended by the judge's questions.Be specific about their symptoms, treatment and limitations.More items...•Jan 22, 2020

What does a disabled person do all day?

ADLs are important for many different impairments, and are especially important with mental disorders. ADLs include things like shopping, cooking, getting around (either by public transportation or by driving yourself), cooking, paying bills, being able to take care of your personal hygiene, and so on.

What should I say in a disability interview?

What Type of Questions Will Be Asked at Your Disability Interview?When did your condition become disabling?What is the contact information for your doctors?What are the dates of the visits to your doctors?What are the names of medications that you are currently taking?What medical tests have you undergone?Feb 26, 2021

How do I prepare for a disability hearing?

Steps to Prepare for Your SSDI HearingUnderstand Your Claim. It is important to spend time reviewing your case file with your attorney. ... Prepare Your Notes. At your disability hearing, you will be allowed to use notes to help you discuss your claim. ... Gather Recent Medical Records. ... Get Expert Opinions.

What are my chances of winning my Social Security disability hearing?

Your odds of winning at a disability hearing before a judge are about 50%. If you have a lawyer with you, however, your odds increase to 62%, making your claim statistically more likely to be approved than be rejected.Sep 1, 2020

What to Bring to a Meeting With a Disability Lawyer

Before you go, take a few minutes to write down a record of the places you've worked over the last fifteen years, with approximate dates. If you've worked recently, include details on work you had to miss due to your disability.

Questions to Ask a Potential Disability Lawyer

An initial consultation with a disability lawyer is not, of course, entirely about providing the attorney with information and documents. You're entitled to ask questions of the lawyer to make sure you would feel comfortable working with him or her. Here are a few questions you may want answers to.

How far ahead of time do you have to notify the SSA of your hearing date?

The SSA is required to notify you of your hearing date at least 75 days ahead of time. Once you receive notice of your hearing date, you should contact your doctor and any specialists from whom you have received treatment and request up-to-date medical records. With 75 days to do so, you should not have any issues with this.

How to get a disability hearing?

Here is how to prepare for a disability hearing to win SSD or SSI benefits: 1 Hire a Social Security disability law team 2 Get the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) file on you 3 Review medical evidence 4 Request a support statement from a doctor

What is a personal statement?

This statement, called a medical source statement, provides such information as the type of work you can and cannot do as well as the degree to which your condition impacts your ability to carry out activities of daily living.

Applying For Social Security Disability Benefits

Should you call a social security disability lawyer to help you fill out the application for social security disability benefits? There are a lot of lawyers who won’t take on a case before the application for benefits is denied. They don’t want the headache of filing an application.

Filing An Appeal Of A Social Security Denial

If your application for benefits has been denied, then you definitely need to call a social security disability lawyer. There are deadlines to file an appeal . Evidence needs to be requested and gathered. It is important to properly prepare for a hearing with a judge.

Nationwide Representation

Our social security disability lawyers handle cases nationwide . We used to fly around the country, but hearings today are being held online by video only. Given today’s technology, we can review your case by email. We can talk to you on the phone or by video. This year has taught us how to be more accessible than ever before.

How to contact Social Security Administration?

For more questions regarding your eligibility, the amount of benefits that may be paid to you, what documents you’ll need, and how you can appeal a decision made by the Social Security Administration, contact us today at 570-503-6255 or e-mail us.

What is SSI disability?

SSI makes monthly payments to disabled individuals. The SSI program is a “need-based” program rather than an insurance program like SSD. Thus, in order to qualify, you must have limited income and resources (things you own).

What is income tax refund?

income tax refunds; assistance based on need funded by a State or local government; small amounts of income received irregularly or infrequently; food or shelter based on need provided by nonprofit agencies; loans to you (cash or in–kind) that you have to repay;

What are the two types of resources?

There are two types of resources: countable resources and non-countable resources.

What is an appointment for SSI?

An SSI appointment is a financial interview to see if you are eligible for SSI. Basically, they are checking to see how poor you are. They also ask about your household, living situation, and rent, to help decide how much SSI you will get. This interview only happens for SSI. It does not happen for SSDI.

What is SSI interview?

An SSI Interview is questions about your finances and living situation. Here is a few tips it may be helpful to keep in mind: There is no need to be nervous for an SSI interview. This interview is only about finances they will not be deciding your disability.

What is it called when a parent asks about their child's finances?

They will only include parents who live in the home. This is called “ Deeming ”

What are the issues with SSI?

The most common problem people have at SSI interviews are issues around rent, food and utilities. All of these things can make an SSI check go up or down. If you are a parent of a minor child who is disabled, when your child turns 18, the SSI rules for rent, food and utilities will start to apply.

Can I request another SSI interview?

It may be helpful to know that if your interview doesn’t go well, you can always request another one! You can request an unlimited number. Examples:

What is the purpose of SSI?

The purpose of an SSI/SSD exam is to help an examiner determine whether or not you display evidence of functional limitations in regard to your mental health. This will allow them to determine what it is you can do and in contrast, what it is you may struggle with.

What to do the night before a test?

The night before your exam, be sure to get a restful night’s sleep so that you can give your best effort. This means that you need to answer each question in an honest and complete manner.

How long does a disability last?

The SSA defines a disability as “the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity” — in this case, due to mental impairments, for a continuous period that is no less than 12 months. The exam itself is generally administered by a physician, psychologist, or psychiatrist, who have no affiliation with the SSA in terms of employment.

Can you read about other people's experiences?

You have may read about other people’s experiences, but these should not be used as a point of reference. Although they can give you a rough idea, the total examination time will vary from one person to the next.

How to prove disability?

Next, your attorney will develop a "theory" of why you are disabled under Social Security disability law. Your attorney will write a legal brief for the judge explaining the theory of the case. There are three main possible "theories" an attorney can use to do this. Your lawyer can: 1 prove that your condition meets a disability "listing" 2 prove that you "grid" out of all work (including not being able to do your past work) 3 prove that your non-exertional limitations prevent you from working, or 4 prove that your exertion level is " less than sedentary ."

Can an attorney represent you?

You must answer all of your attorney's questions as honestly as you can—even if the questions are embarrassing or you feel ashamed of the answers. Otherwise, your attorney cannot represent you effectively. Remember that your attorney is not there to judge you, but to help you win your claim.