Aa
Any suggestions would be great!
Have up-coming SSI hearing in Feb.. Anyone who has already been down this long road. your input would be awsome!
Hey Bo - I have been in front of the Administrative Law Judge for SSDI twice and after a long 2y7m from date of filing, I was awarded back benefits to 4/6 for Fibromyalgia and Depression.
If this is your 1st hearing, this is what you can expect- in the room, Judge, you, your attorney, stenographer and a vocational expert and possibly a doctor who specializes in your condition (mine was done with the doctor over the phone and he was a jack off) Anyways, the judge, attorney and vocational expert do most if not all the talking. You will of course answer directly to the judge only if he asks you a direct question. They do try to make you feel comfortable, but it is not.
I had documentation from 2002 through my 2nd hearing in 2009 from my pcp, rheumatologist, sleep doctor, ear/nose/throat doctor, neurologist and pyschiatrist.
That was the key - and if the judge and lawyer have a good relationship, that also helps. My PCP on every visit I had with him would write completely unable to work because.....concentration,fatigue,inability to follow simple directions, severe depresseion. So make sure all that is in order. I'm sure your lawyer has already done that.
After my 1st visit to the judge about 6 months later I was required to go for testing - MMPI, and global assessment functioning tests with a SSDI doctor. That was in January 09 - July 09 back to the judge and this time he had a neuropsyhologist in the room along with the others. Honestly I didn't think I would win, but I did and it took until November 09 for them to notify me. Bottom line was the vocational expert could not find a job that I could do for an 8 hour day because of my fatigue and pain.
Don't be scared, you'll be fine, the docs are most important and it's just a very slow process. Let me know if you have any more questions. Sharon
If this is your 1st hearing, this is what you can expect- in the room, Judge, you, your attorney, stenographer and a vocational expert and possibly a doctor who specializes in your condition (mine was done with the doctor over the phone and he was a jack off) Anyways, the judge, attorney and vocational expert do most if not all the talking. You will of course answer directly to the judge only if he asks you a direct question. They do try to make you feel comfortable, but it is not.
I had documentation from 2002 through my 2nd hearing in 2009 from my pcp, rheumatologist, sleep doctor, ear/nose/throat doctor, neurologist and pyschiatrist.
That was the key - and if the judge and lawyer have a good relationship, that also helps. My PCP on every visit I had with him would write completely unable to work because.....concentration,fatigue,inability to follow simple directions, severe depresseion. So make sure all that is in order. I'm sure your lawyer has already done that.
After my 1st visit to the judge about 6 months later I was required to go for testing - MMPI, and global assessment functioning tests with a SSDI doctor. That was in January 09 - July 09 back to the judge and this time he had a neuropsyhologist in the room along with the others. Honestly I didn't think I would win, but I did and it took until November 09 for them to notify me. Bottom line was the vocational expert could not find a job that I could do for an 8 hour day because of my fatigue and pain.
Don't be scared, you'll be fine, the docs are most important and it's just a very slow process. Let me know if you have any more questions. Sharon
I think the trick of the matter is to prove to the judge that you're 100% disabled by your illness and can no longer make a livng that you're were trained for, or educated for...that it is not possible for you to find another occupation.
It is always good to have an attorney to guide you thru it...although, I did get mine by reading up on other's experiences and not repeating their mistakes. Your doctor(s) statment to confirm your disability would help tremendously too.
If you could get together before the hearing date with your attorney would be advisable so you'll know what to expect...
All my very best wishes.
It is always good to have an attorney to guide you thru it...although, I did get mine by reading up on other's experiences and not repeating their mistakes. Your doctor(s) statment to confirm your disability would help tremendously too.
If you could get together before the hearing date with your attorney would be advisable so you'll know what to expect...
All my very best wishes.
Wait, just SSI? No SSDI too? Hmm, I think you should be OK. Almost always works out favorably w/ an Attorney. At least here it did...but I didn't do JUST the SSI route. Good Luck though.
That is good that you have an attorney. I have heard that it is a tough fight, but I have not gone through it myself. The more prepared you are the better. Many people have to go through denial once or even twice if they are not properly prepared, but it sounds like you are.
If I were you, I would just stay focus on the facts and what things you cannot do anymore because of the disability- even down to the details like getting dressed, walking, lifting things, opening jars, sitting in a chair, writing with a pen, or whatever tasks that "normal" people take for granted. Hopefully some people who have gone through the process will chime in with some more detailed advice for you. I will pray that everything goes smoothly for you. Take care and keep us updated.
-Dusty
If I were you, I would just stay focus on the facts and what things you cannot do anymore because of the disability- even down to the details like getting dressed, walking, lifting things, opening jars, sitting in a chair, writing with a pen, or whatever tasks that "normal" people take for granted. Hopefully some people who have gone through the process will chime in with some more detailed advice for you. I will pray that everything goes smoothly for you. Take care and keep us updated.
-Dusty
This is hearing and yes have an attorney. I got all medical records and they all look good. Attorney took case with belife that we would win. Just nervous it's been 2 and half years! Just wondering if their was anything that the judge likes to hear or not hear or even if their is anything i need to say or if attorney does all the talking. I am thinking attorney will set up a meeting before hearing? I hope anyway!
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