DANGERS OF REPRESENTING YOURSELF IN SOCIAL SECURITY DISABIITY

"Do you want to be the only inexperienced person in the room?  If you walk into a Social Security disability hearing unrepresented, you will be."

The administrative law judge (ALJ) has a law degree and years of experience adjudicating Social Security disability cases.  His/her job is to be sure that all rules and regulations are followed. (There are thousands of rules).

The vocational witness will usually have either a master's or doctor's degree and years of experience as a vocational rehabilitation counselor.  If a medical expert is present, he/she will have a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, or equivalent.

 Into this frightful crowd enters the claimant, new to the Social Security hearing experience and with too much hanging in the balance not to be nervous and anxious.  It is unfair, and totally illogical, to expect the claimant to handle his hearing successfully alone.  It would almost be a miracle.

 Which doctor's opinion is entitled to more weight--the Social Security doctor or the claimant's own doctor?  What do they mean about "supporting the alleged onset date"?  Why is some evidence not admissible because it came from an "unaccepted medical source"?  Why is other evidence not admissible because it is after the date last insured?  What do they mean by terms like "substantial gainful activity" and "residual functional capacity"?  And they seem to be saying that some of my past work is not "past relevant work"; what does that mean?  How many thousand dollars will I lose if they amend my alleged onset date from 3/1/11 to 8/1/14?  

80 percent of all disability claimants are professionally represented.  There is a reason for that.  Don't walk into a hearing alone.
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"It is unfair, and totally illogical, to expect the claimant to handle his hearing successfully alone"

 


 

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