Luck has very little to do with getting approved for a Social Security disability check. Logic, law and the grid rules have a lot more to do with it.
Logic, in the sense that the case must make sense to the administrative law judge who handles your appeal. (Forget about getting approved merely by filing an application; those days are gone--unless you have a terminal or catastrophic illness). The narrative about why you can't work must make sense to the judge. And judges think differently than claimants. Believe me--they do.
Law, in the sense that no judge is going to pay a benefit unless the law directs it. You basically have to show a judge that the federal regulations dictate that you qualify for benefits. You meet all the rules, so the judge will be upholding the law when you are approved. Short of this, no benefit will ever be paid.
Grid rules can help you if you are age 50 or over and have a physical or exertional impairment. An exertional impairment is a physical impairment that restricts your ability to sit, stand, walk, lift or push/pull. Grid rules do not apply to mental impairments. The grids often make it much easier to prove disability for persons age 50 and over, especially those who are 55 or over.
I approach a disability appeal with a thorough fact finding session. I want to know your medical background, your past work history, you education level and any doctor's opinion about your ability to perform specific work related activities. Note: It isn't enough for your doctor to make a general statement like, "This patient has heart trouble and is totally disabled and should not attempt to work." While this sounds like it would do the trick, it will not because it violates one of Social Security's legal principles. That principle says, "Only the Commissioner of Social Security may determine who is disabled." It is not the doctor's role. Therefore, this kind of testimony is not admissible.
We can provide forms to help your doctor give admissible testimony about your medical impairments--which Social Security may accept.
Getting an SSDI claim approved is a lot like putting together a complicated legal jigsaw puzzle. Piece by piece. And only someone who has experience and skill in this area can be expected to do it well.
HOW TO DISABILITY REPRESENTATIVES GET PAID?
A representative can only charge you a fee if you win your case and recover some back pay (also called "past due benefits"). Social Security will withhold a percentage of your back pay--which cannot exceed 25 percent--and pay your representative directly. Not all representatives are eligible for direct payment but those who have met stringent requirements are. The Forsythe Firm is eligible for Direct Payment of Fees from Social Security.
If you don't win your case, or if you win but don't get any back pay, there is never a fee. You will always keep 100% of your monthly benefits.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
THE FORSYTHE FIRM
Social Security Representation
7027 Old Madison Pike NW - Suite 108
Huntsville, AL 35806
PHONE (256) 799-0297
SOCIAL SECURITY JUSTICE (WEBSITE)
"We handle nothing but Social Security cases."
Friday, October 26, 2018
Saturday, October 20, 2018
SOCIAL SECURITY: AN INSURANCE BENEFIT, NOT AN ENTITLEMENT
HISTORY: Congress passed the Social Security Act in 1935 as a pension program for elderly Americans, allowing them to draw an "old age pension" when they reached 65 years of age. The purpose was to help reduce poverty among America's aging population. The original act provided for no disability benefit.
In 1955, Congress took note of hundreds of thousands of workers who became disabled prior to age 65 but had no disability insurance to help ease the hardship of lost wages. A debate began concerning adding a disability benefit to Social Security.
THE PROBLEM: Congress realized that the strained federal budget could not support another entitlement program paid for by federal dollars. What they came up with was an entirely separate disability trust fund, not supported by federal tax dollars at all. The trust fund would be supported by specific taxes on workers and their employers. Under the new Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), each worker would have a percentage of his wages withheld and paid into the federal trust fund. The employer would also be required to pay an equal or matching amount into the fund. When a disability claim occurred, the benefit would be paid out of the trust fund, not out of the US treasury. So, no treasury tax dollars would be spent.
THE SOLUTION: The Social Security Administration (SSA) collected money from workers, much the same way that a private insurance company would. They pooled this money in a disability trust fund and distributed money to disabled beneficiaries, just like an insurance company would do. The difference between SSDI and private insurance is that SSDI withholding is mandatory (you can't avoid it), while paying private insurance premiums is optional (your choice).
WHAT YOU NEED TO GET DISABILITY BENEFITS
1. You must have worked enough to accumulate the minimum quarters of coverage. Most workers need 20 quarters of coverage accumulated during the past 10 years. Stated simply, you need to have worked at least 5 years out of the the past 10 years.
2. You cannot be currently working at substantial gainful activity. You cannot hold a substantial job and apply for SSDI at the same time. A job is substantial if your gross earnings or self-employment income are at least $1,180 per month.
3. You must have a medically determinable impairment that has (a) lasted for at least 12 consecutive months, (b) is expected to last for at least 12 consecutive months, OR (c) is expected to end in death. This is called the duration requirement.
4. Your medical impairment must be severe enough to prevent you from performing any full-time work activity, not just the job you are accustomed to or trained for. (Rules are a bit different for persons over age 50).
A Final Thought
Social Security denies over 70 percent of all disability claims--even some that meet the rules and should be paid. Mistakes are frequent. Nearly everyone who eventually gets a benefit must appeal their denied claim and appear before a US administrative law judge for a hearing. Your chances at the hearing are much better, particularly if you have an experienced disability advocate who knows how to prepare and present you case to meet the federal rules. So, the biggest mistake you can make is failing to appeal your denial, or waiting too long to file the appeal. You must appeal within 60 days of the denial decision. This is a strict deadline.
__________
by Charles W. Forsythe
Social Security Disability Representative
The Forsythe Firm
7027 Old Madison Pike, Suite 108
Huntsville, AL 35806
Across from Bridge Street
PHONE US: (256) 799-0297
EMAIL ME: forsythefirm@gmail.com
SOCIAL SECURITY JUSTICE WEBSITE
In 1955, Congress took note of hundreds of thousands of workers who became disabled prior to age 65 but had no disability insurance to help ease the hardship of lost wages. A debate began concerning adding a disability benefit to Social Security.
THE PROBLEM: Congress realized that the strained federal budget could not support another entitlement program paid for by federal dollars. What they came up with was an entirely separate disability trust fund, not supported by federal tax dollars at all. The trust fund would be supported by specific taxes on workers and their employers. Under the new Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), each worker would have a percentage of his wages withheld and paid into the federal trust fund. The employer would also be required to pay an equal or matching amount into the fund. When a disability claim occurred, the benefit would be paid out of the trust fund, not out of the US treasury. So, no treasury tax dollars would be spent.
THE SOLUTION: The Social Security Administration (SSA) collected money from workers, much the same way that a private insurance company would. They pooled this money in a disability trust fund and distributed money to disabled beneficiaries, just like an insurance company would do. The difference between SSDI and private insurance is that SSDI withholding is mandatory (you can't avoid it), while paying private insurance premiums is optional (your choice).
WHAT YOU NEED TO GET DISABILITY BENEFITS
1. You must have worked enough to accumulate the minimum quarters of coverage. Most workers need 20 quarters of coverage accumulated during the past 10 years. Stated simply, you need to have worked at least 5 years out of the the past 10 years.
2. You cannot be currently working at substantial gainful activity. You cannot hold a substantial job and apply for SSDI at the same time. A job is substantial if your gross earnings or self-employment income are at least $1,180 per month.
3. You must have a medically determinable impairment that has (a) lasted for at least 12 consecutive months, (b) is expected to last for at least 12 consecutive months, OR (c) is expected to end in death. This is called the duration requirement.
4. Your medical impairment must be severe enough to prevent you from performing any full-time work activity, not just the job you are accustomed to or trained for. (Rules are a bit different for persons over age 50).
A Final Thought
Social Security denies over 70 percent of all disability claims--even some that meet the rules and should be paid. Mistakes are frequent. Nearly everyone who eventually gets a benefit must appeal their denied claim and appear before a US administrative law judge for a hearing. Your chances at the hearing are much better, particularly if you have an experienced disability advocate who knows how to prepare and present you case to meet the federal rules. So, the biggest mistake you can make is failing to appeal your denial, or waiting too long to file the appeal. You must appeal within 60 days of the denial decision. This is a strict deadline.
__________
by Charles W. Forsythe
Social Security Disability Representative
The Forsythe Firm
7027 Old Madison Pike, Suite 108
Huntsville, AL 35806
Across from Bridge Street
PHONE US: (256) 799-0297
EMAIL ME: forsythefirm@gmail.com
SOCIAL SECURITY JUSTICE WEBSITE
Sunday, October 14, 2018
FASTER TRACKS TO SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY
It's well known that disability claims in the Huntsville, AL are take up to 2 years. Claims are usually denied at the first stage and require a hearing. But there are certain circumstances that your attorney or advocate can use to speed up your claim and drastically cut wait times:
1) Compassionate Allowance. Social Security recognizes approximately 300 diseases that automatically qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits. If you have one of these diseases, your attorney can ask for a compassionate allowance and get benefits approved right away.
2) Dire Need. If you can show that you can't pay your rent or mortgage and would be homeless without assistance, you might qualify for a faster dire need decision. If you need urgent medical care that you cannot obtain, you might qualify for dire need consideration. A dire need does not necessarily get you approved; it simply gets you a hearing much faster.
3) On-the-Record (OTR) decision. In some circumstances, your attorney or representative may ask a judge to make a review of your case on the record, meaning a documentary review without a hearing, and make a decision. This can save several months off the process. However, OTR decisions are not right for every case.
4) Disabled Veterans with a 100 percent VA disability rating may qualify for expedited processing. In some circumstances, this can cut the processing time in half, or it could even be faster than that.
Aside from one of these four circumstances, your representative can keep your case moving by completing applications and forms promptly and properly.
1) Compassionate Allowance. Social Security recognizes approximately 300 diseases that automatically qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits. If you have one of these diseases, your attorney can ask for a compassionate allowance and get benefits approved right away.
2) Dire Need. If you can show that you can't pay your rent or mortgage and would be homeless without assistance, you might qualify for a faster dire need decision. If you need urgent medical care that you cannot obtain, you might qualify for dire need consideration. A dire need does not necessarily get you approved; it simply gets you a hearing much faster.
3) On-the-Record (OTR) decision. In some circumstances, your attorney or representative may ask a judge to make a review of your case on the record, meaning a documentary review without a hearing, and make a decision. This can save several months off the process. However, OTR decisions are not right for every case.
4) Disabled Veterans with a 100 percent VA disability rating may qualify for expedited processing. In some circumstances, this can cut the processing time in half, or it could even be faster than that.
Aside from one of these four circumstances, your representative can keep your case moving by completing applications and forms promptly and properly.
Friday, October 12, 2018
CHECKLIST FOR YOUR SSDI HEARING: HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED
So, you have waited two years or more and are finally scheduled to appear for your Social Security disability hearing. You are understandably nervous and expectant. For most people, this is their first appearance before a judge.
Prior to your hearing, there are things you need to prepare. Here's a short checklist:
___ Be certain the judge has all of your pertinent medical records, including records of any recent treatment or hospitalization. It is your responsibility to submit medical evidence.
___ Do you know the exact date you last worked? The judge must ask.
___ Prepare a list of all prescription medications you take.
___ Have an answer for the question, "Why do you believe you are unable to work?" Think in terms of symptoms, not just diseases.
___ Try to understand Social Security's definition of disability. Note: There is one definition for persons under 50, another for persons 50 and over.
___ Look at your "alleged onset date." Why is this the appropriate date for the onset of your disability? Be able to explain.
___ Try to formulate a "legal theory" of your case. In other words, why do you meet the rules and regulations that define disability?
___ Be sure you understand the difference between unemployment and disability. Unemployment means you can't find a job. Disability means you are not able to perform the duties of a job.
___ Check out general Do's and Dont's:
Prior to your hearing, there are things you need to prepare. Here's a short checklist:
___ Be certain the judge has all of your pertinent medical records, including records of any recent treatment or hospitalization. It is your responsibility to submit medical evidence.
___ Do you know the exact date you last worked? The judge must ask.
___ Prepare a list of all prescription medications you take.
___ Have an answer for the question, "Why do you believe you are unable to work?" Think in terms of symptoms, not just diseases.
___ Try to understand Social Security's definition of disability. Note: There is one definition for persons under 50, another for persons 50 and over.
___ Look at your "alleged onset date." Why is this the appropriate date for the onset of your disability? Be able to explain.
___ Try to formulate a "legal theory" of your case. In other words, why do you meet the rules and regulations that define disability?
___ Be sure you understand the difference between unemployment and disability. Unemployment means you can't find a job. Disability means you are not able to perform the duties of a job.
___ Check out general Do's and Dont's:
- Avoid vague terms like sometimes, not very often, a little bit...
- Don't answer questions you don't understand; ask for clarification.
- Always answer questions truthfully.
- Remember, a voice recording will be made, so speak up.
Sunday, September 30, 2018
GRID RULES AND SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY
Sometimes, an individual can be quickly approved for disability benefits by use of the "grid rules." What are grid rules and how are they helpful?
The so-called rules are officially the "medical-vocational guidelines" published in 20 CFR 404, Subpart P, Appendix 2.
The grids look at several factors in addition to your medical impairment to see if a finding of disability is directed by the published guidelines.
The information is laid out in a table with 5 columns in a grid (hence the name, GRID RULES).
These rules can only be used for physical impairments. If you have psychological impairments or non-exertional impairments, the rules don't apply.
Also, these rules only apply to claimants who are at least 50 years old. (Young individuals can get benefits, but not by using grids).
The following 5 things are considered by the grids:
In column 1, John's residual functional capacity is limited to sedentary work. In column 2, he is 55 years old, hence a person of "advanced age." In column 3, John has a 9th grade education, considered a limited education. In column 4, past work experience has been in an unskilled job, so there are no transferable skills. Based on all of these factors, column 5 directs a decision of disability, based on Grid Rule 201.01.
CAUTION: At the application level, decision makers tend to deny most applications. Therefore, I suspect that John's claim would be denied at the first level of review. He will probably still get a letter stating something like this: "You are not eligible for disability benefits. This is because you are not disabled according to our rules."
Why would they deny this claim? Because the decision maker will not concede the fact that John is limited to sedentary work. They will say he can perform light or medium work. Since they set his Residual Functional Capacity too high, he won't meet a grid rule and a denial results. About one-half of the applications that I see denied encounter this error.
John will need to appeal this denial within 60 days. The appeal, if filed in time, will take his claim before an administrative law judge (ALJ) who will reevaluate his medical evidence and, hopefully, recognize his RFC as limited to sedentary work. When this happens, John will meet the grid rule (201.01) and be awarded his benefits.
The chore for John's attorney will be to prove that his client is limited to sedentary exertion level, using medical evidence from John's doctors. The attorney will quickly analyze the denial and see right away what the problem is. He or she will also know immediately must happen to get the denial overturned at the hearing.
So, John's attorney will go into the hearing focused on the main problem. The goal will be to use evidence to demonstrate that Grid Rule 201.01 will determine that John is disabled under Social Security's own rules and that he should be paid.
This is so much different than what would happen if the claimant just went to the hearing unrepresented and hoped for the best. Being unaware of Grid Rule 201.01, John would probably tell the judge the truth about his impairments--but fail to direct the case to its proper focal point--Rule 201.01, where his age, education, lack of skilled work and proper residual functional capacity would direct approval of benefits.
REPRESENTED BY COMPETENT COUNSEL: John could be found disabled on his alleged onset date of 2/18/15.* He will receive $37,604 in past due benefits and will get a check for $1,687 per month for as long as he is disabled. He will also get Medicare insurance to pay for medical treatment. He will pay his attorney-advocate a $6,000 fee, taking home $31,604 in past due benefits and all of his monthly award.
UNREPRESENTED: John may be denied again. If so, he will receive $0 back pay and $0 per month in benefits. He would get no Medicare insurance. Did he just save a $6,000 attorney's fee? Well, that's not the way I would look at it!
You don't have to understand Social Security's complicated rules. Just be sure you hire someone who does!
_____________
THE FORSYTHE FIRM
Social Security Disability Representation
7027 Old Madison Pike, Suite 108
Huntsville, AL 35806
PHONE (256) 799-0297
FORSYTHE FIRM: SOCIAL SECURITY JUSTICE
*All names used in this post are fictional so that no claimant's identity is compromised. Numbers are reasonable representations of benefits that might apply, not actual numbers. Having a representative does not guarantee that you will win your case because, obviously, some represented claimants also are denied. But having adequate representation gives you a better chance for approval, especially at appeal. This post is used for general information and not for legal advice on any particular situation. Consult an attorney or Social Security representative about your case.
The so-called rules are officially the "medical-vocational guidelines" published in 20 CFR 404, Subpart P, Appendix 2.
The grids look at several factors in addition to your medical impairment to see if a finding of disability is directed by the published guidelines.
The information is laid out in a table with 5 columns in a grid (hence the name, GRID RULES).
These rules can only be used for physical impairments. If you have psychological impairments or non-exertional impairments, the rules don't apply.
Also, these rules only apply to claimants who are at least 50 years old. (Young individuals can get benefits, but not by using grids).
The following 5 things are considered by the grids:
- your age
- your education level
- the skill level of the work you did in the past 15 years
- whether you have learned any skills that can be used in a different job, and
- your residual functional capacity (RFC) – what you can do despite your impairments.
In column 1, John's residual functional capacity is limited to sedentary work. In column 2, he is 55 years old, hence a person of "advanced age." In column 3, John has a 9th grade education, considered a limited education. In column 4, past work experience has been in an unskilled job, so there are no transferable skills. Based on all of these factors, column 5 directs a decision of disability, based on Grid Rule 201.01.
CAUTION: At the application level, decision makers tend to deny most applications. Therefore, I suspect that John's claim would be denied at the first level of review. He will probably still get a letter stating something like this: "You are not eligible for disability benefits. This is because you are not disabled according to our rules."
Why would they deny this claim? Because the decision maker will not concede the fact that John is limited to sedentary work. They will say he can perform light or medium work. Since they set his Residual Functional Capacity too high, he won't meet a grid rule and a denial results. About one-half of the applications that I see denied encounter this error.
John will need to appeal this denial within 60 days. The appeal, if filed in time, will take his claim before an administrative law judge (ALJ) who will reevaluate his medical evidence and, hopefully, recognize his RFC as limited to sedentary work. When this happens, John will meet the grid rule (201.01) and be awarded his benefits.
The chore for John's attorney will be to prove that his client is limited to sedentary exertion level, using medical evidence from John's doctors. The attorney will quickly analyze the denial and see right away what the problem is. He or she will also know immediately must happen to get the denial overturned at the hearing.
So, John's attorney will go into the hearing focused on the main problem. The goal will be to use evidence to demonstrate that Grid Rule 201.01 will determine that John is disabled under Social Security's own rules and that he should be paid.
This is so much different than what would happen if the claimant just went to the hearing unrepresented and hoped for the best. Being unaware of Grid Rule 201.01, John would probably tell the judge the truth about his impairments--but fail to direct the case to its proper focal point--Rule 201.01, where his age, education, lack of skilled work and proper residual functional capacity would direct approval of benefits.
REPRESENTED BY COMPETENT COUNSEL: John could be found disabled on his alleged onset date of 2/18/15.* He will receive $37,604 in past due benefits and will get a check for $1,687 per month for as long as he is disabled. He will also get Medicare insurance to pay for medical treatment. He will pay his attorney-advocate a $6,000 fee, taking home $31,604 in past due benefits and all of his monthly award.
UNREPRESENTED: John may be denied again. If so, he will receive $0 back pay and $0 per month in benefits. He would get no Medicare insurance. Did he just save a $6,000 attorney's fee? Well, that's not the way I would look at it!
You don't have to understand Social Security's complicated rules. Just be sure you hire someone who does!
_____________
THE FORSYTHE FIRM
Social Security Disability Representation
7027 Old Madison Pike, Suite 108
Huntsville, AL 35806
PHONE (256) 799-0297
FORSYTHE FIRM: SOCIAL SECURITY JUSTICE
*All names used in this post are fictional so that no claimant's identity is compromised. Numbers are reasonable representations of benefits that might apply, not actual numbers. Having a representative does not guarantee that you will win your case because, obviously, some represented claimants also are denied. But having adequate representation gives you a better chance for approval, especially at appeal. This post is used for general information and not for legal advice on any particular situation. Consult an attorney or Social Security representative about your case.
Monday, September 24, 2018
DISABILITY IS EASIER FOR PERSONS OVER AGE 50
Social Security disability rules change at age 50, making it somewhat easier to get benefits.
Starting at age 50, it is possible to get a Medical-Vocational Allowance. Social Security uses published "grid rules" that consider age, education, past work experience and residual functional capacity to determine if you qualify for disability benefits.
This means that a 50 year-old individual might be approved, while a younger individual with the same education, past work record and medical condition would be denied.
Starting at 50, claimants fall into a new age category known as "closely approaching advanced age." The rules are more lax than they are for "younger individuals" (below 50).
Starting at age 55, claimants change age categories again, this time landing in the "advanced age" category. And, you guessed it, the rules get even easier at 55.
Social Security recognizes that individuals lose their ability to adapt to new types of work as they age. Even if a 30 year-old claimant cannot perform past work, he may not be disabled because there is other (easier) work that he could do. However, a 55 year-old individual would not be expected to make the change to different types of work and could be found disabled.
Disability approval is certainly not automatic at age 50 or 55. But your odds do improve quite a bit after age 50.
__________
Charles W. Forsythe
The Forsythe Firm
7027 Old Madison Pike, Suite 108
"Across from Bridge Street"
Huntsville, AL 35806
PHONE (256) 799-0297
Starting at age 50, it is possible to get a Medical-Vocational Allowance. Social Security uses published "grid rules" that consider age, education, past work experience and residual functional capacity to determine if you qualify for disability benefits.
This means that a 50 year-old individual might be approved, while a younger individual with the same education, past work record and medical condition would be denied.
Starting at 50, claimants fall into a new age category known as "closely approaching advanced age." The rules are more lax than they are for "younger individuals" (below 50).
Starting at age 55, claimants change age categories again, this time landing in the "advanced age" category. And, you guessed it, the rules get even easier at 55.
Social Security recognizes that individuals lose their ability to adapt to new types of work as they age. Even if a 30 year-old claimant cannot perform past work, he may not be disabled because there is other (easier) work that he could do. However, a 55 year-old individual would not be expected to make the change to different types of work and could be found disabled.
Disability approval is certainly not automatic at age 50 or 55. But your odds do improve quite a bit after age 50.
__________
Charles W. Forsythe
The Forsythe Firm
7027 Old Madison Pike, Suite 108
"Across from Bridge Street"
Huntsville, AL 35806
PHONE (256) 799-0297
10,000 PEOPLE DIED WAITING FOR A SOCIAL SECURITY DECISION
10,000 people died last year waiting for a Social Security decision about their disability claim.
There are now 1.1 million people waiting for a hearing. There are about 1,600 administrative law judges available to hold hearings.
That means that the average wait time for a hearing is almost 2 years, sometimes longer. And that's in addition to the 4 months it took to get a denial on the application.
So, when people talk about waiting up to 3 years to have their disability case decided, they are not kidding.
The wait time is atrocious. But we have to remember that you only get one hearing--one chance to make your case. If that fails, there is no good option. Sure, you can make further appeals but they have an even smaller chance of success than any other part of the process. The hearing is your best chance!
After waiting 2 years or more for a chance to be heard, an awful lot is riding on that 45-minute hearing. Hopefully, your attorney-advocate has prepared your case well. He knows the medical evidence inside and out. He has prepared you to give your testimony effectively. He has prepared for testimony offered by Social Security's vocational witness, who will use jobs from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) to advise the judge about work you may still be able to do. Your advocate knows that the D.O.T. was written during the Great Depression (1930s) and has not been updated since 1991. It's outdated, archaic and in many cases irrelevant to today's job market; however, Social Security thinks of it as the absolute truth about jobs in the United States. So, you have to be prepared for this monster.
This hearing can change your life. It can save your life. Nobody can guarantee that you will prevail. But you owe to yourself to make a fight of it and to present your case as well as you possibly can. That takes more than passion or emotion. It takes fact and skill and hard work.
You won't see the hours that I have spent on your case. You won't see me locked in my study late at night pouring over your medical records, or researching case law about vocational testimony before the office opens for the day. In fact, what I do may look easy to you. You might get the impression that I stroll into your hearing with my briefcase and just hope for the best. But that's not really what I do. I dedicate myself to giving you the best chance I can give you to have a life-changing experience at your hearing.
Do I sometimes get disappointed? Yes, of course. But I must say that there are more victories than defeats. I love it when I can call a client who's been waiting for 2 or 3 years and say, "Hey, we just got a fully favorable decision; a check will be on the way."
That isn't greed: that's medicine to relieve pain, utilities that won't be shut off, and a chance to hang on to the house. It's groceries and a chance to see the doctor again. Maybe it's not being afraid to answer the phone again because the bill collectors can be kept at bay. Whatever else it is, it's a mighty good feeling.
______________
Charles W. Forsythe
7027 Old Madison Pike, Suite 108
Huntsville, AL 325806
PHONE (256) 799-0297
There are now 1.1 million people waiting for a hearing. There are about 1,600 administrative law judges available to hold hearings.
That means that the average wait time for a hearing is almost 2 years, sometimes longer. And that's in addition to the 4 months it took to get a denial on the application.
So, when people talk about waiting up to 3 years to have their disability case decided, they are not kidding.
The wait time is atrocious. But we have to remember that you only get one hearing--one chance to make your case. If that fails, there is no good option. Sure, you can make further appeals but they have an even smaller chance of success than any other part of the process. The hearing is your best chance!
After waiting 2 years or more for a chance to be heard, an awful lot is riding on that 45-minute hearing. Hopefully, your attorney-advocate has prepared your case well. He knows the medical evidence inside and out. He has prepared you to give your testimony effectively. He has prepared for testimony offered by Social Security's vocational witness, who will use jobs from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) to advise the judge about work you may still be able to do. Your advocate knows that the D.O.T. was written during the Great Depression (1930s) and has not been updated since 1991. It's outdated, archaic and in many cases irrelevant to today's job market; however, Social Security thinks of it as the absolute truth about jobs in the United States. So, you have to be prepared for this monster.
This hearing can change your life. It can save your life. Nobody can guarantee that you will prevail. But you owe to yourself to make a fight of it and to present your case as well as you possibly can. That takes more than passion or emotion. It takes fact and skill and hard work.
You won't see the hours that I have spent on your case. You won't see me locked in my study late at night pouring over your medical records, or researching case law about vocational testimony before the office opens for the day. In fact, what I do may look easy to you. You might get the impression that I stroll into your hearing with my briefcase and just hope for the best. But that's not really what I do. I dedicate myself to giving you the best chance I can give you to have a life-changing experience at your hearing.
Do I sometimes get disappointed? Yes, of course. But I must say that there are more victories than defeats. I love it when I can call a client who's been waiting for 2 or 3 years and say, "Hey, we just got a fully favorable decision; a check will be on the way."
That isn't greed: that's medicine to relieve pain, utilities that won't be shut off, and a chance to hang on to the house. It's groceries and a chance to see the doctor again. Maybe it's not being afraid to answer the phone again because the bill collectors can be kept at bay. Whatever else it is, it's a mighty good feeling.
______________
Charles W. Forsythe
7027 Old Madison Pike, Suite 108
Huntsville, AL 325806
PHONE (256) 799-0297
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)