Personalized Attention From An

After a denial of SSD benefits, prepare for the appeals hearing

On Behalf of | Jul 20, 2016 | Social Security Disability Benefits

For some people, it is the worst news they could receive at a critical time: being denied Social Security Disability benefits. It may have been months since they submitted their initial application, and the waiting game has been nerve-wracking. A denial of benefits can seem like an incredible defeat, but once Los Angeles residents get over this initial disappointment they will hopefully remember that they can appeal that decision. And, in some cases, an appeal of an initial denial of Social Security Disability benefits can lead to an appeals hearing.

The first, and perhaps most important, thing to remember in preparation for the appeals hearing is that the application for benefits has already been denied once – meaning that the odds aren’t exactly in the favor of the person pursuing the appeal. However, the appeals hearing provides the perfect opportunity for the applicant to testify to the Administrative Law Judge, or ALJ, about how the disability affects every day life, and especially how it prevents the applicant from working.

The ALJ will likely want to hear everything, but most importantly the medical details regarding the disability. A person who is preparing for the appeals hearing will want to think about how the disability affects the ability to complete even the simplest of tasks, and the things that can no longer be accomplished due to the disability.

Preparing for the appeals hearing ultimately comes down to going over all of the thoughts you have had throughout this ordeal, and being able to put it into words. While that may sound like a daunting task, the right approach prior to preparing before the hearing can make for a more convincing argument to the judge.

Source: FindLaw, “Preparing for Your Social Security Disability Hearing,” Accessed July 15, 2016

FindLaw Network

Archives