If is often said that renewing a social security claim is easier than qualifying for the social security claim in the first place. Almost 60% of the social security claims are denied, however, not all of the denied claims means they can't be claimed in another attempt. That is why, if your case was denied you have the options for a hearing from an administrative law judge, ALJ.
With that said, let us see what happens in your social security ALJ hearing and how you can avoid the common mishaps:
- 1.You as the claimant would need documentations: The administrative law judge, ALJ would ask you for all kinds of documental evidence ranging from medical documents, physician statements, neurological disorders, substantial gainful activity reports, past employment and educational background. Hence, it is very important that you keep all the documents handy when required. The judge would also ask you how the medical impairment or disability affects your physical and work life. You also need to provide answers with complete honesty along with the documental proof.
- 2.An attorney can help you win: Your social security attorney or advocate would know your case in depth and would come from a place of deeper knowledge and neutral thinking than you. Where you might only be focused on 'winning' the case, your attorney would actually represent you in a better position to elevate your chances of winning. The social security attorney may also ask you in-depth questions about your medical impairment or disability to show the complete side of your story to the judge.
- 3.You would need witnesses: You would be meeting all kinds of medical practitioners, general physicians, psychiatrists, or specialists depending on your medical impairment. Any of those professional people who could serve as your witness by providing an in-depth analysis report about your condition to the judge will increase your chances of winning. These individuals may be able to prove to the judge how your impairment or disability disables you to perform work under substantial gainful activity and what kind of activities you could actually take part in to.
- 4.Honest with yourself: The judge may ask you additional questions about your thoughts towards your disability or if you would like to perform some light work as advised by your practitioner. You would need to be completely honest with yourself and answer those questions as at the end of the day, only you can know how much pressure you could take on despite your disability.
- 5.Patience is the key: The decision can take up to 30 days to be made by the administrative law judge, ALJ. During this time, you may be granted the benefits but if the benefits are denied after the decision, then you may have to return the amount of those benefits to the SSA. Sometimes, the ALJ could provide you a bench decision (not final, based on the guess from the hearing), whether your claims would be approved or not.
You can contact a social security attorney for more details regarding your social security hearing.