Resources

At your hearing, the judge will ask you several questions regarding your symptoms. Your disability attorney in Ocala, Florida will tell you to be prepared to estimate the frequency, duration, and intensity of these symptoms. A Disability Attorney in Ocala, Florida on Frequency of Symptoms You must be able describe the frequency of your symptoms in detail to the judge. Your answers should not be vague or incomplete. Rather, give as much information as possible and be specific about the number of days weekly or monthly that you experience symptoms. A Disability Attorney in Ocala, Florida on Duration of Symptoms If your symptoms are not regular in occurrence, but severe in duration, give the judge an idea of the usual…Read More

When you testify before the judge about your impairment, it will be important to describe any limitations that have come about since your impairment. Your Ocala disability attorney will remind you that the judge expects you to be clear and detailed in your descriptions. The Judge's Questions The questions the judge asks about your limitations will, of course, vary depending on your impairment, so your Ocala disability attorney will prepare you as to what you should expect. Generally, though, the questions involve your ability to sit, stand, walk, and lift. Your Descriptions Your Ocala, Florida disability law firm lawyer will advise you that clear, descriptive examples of the limitations you have faced will be the most effective way to present…Read More

Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) is one of the aspects of your Social Security disability case that will be addressed in your Social Security disability hearing. Your Florida disability attorney can help you prepare. Sample Questions When you are asked questions such as the following, your Florida disability attorney recommends that you base your estimated ability in an ordinary job setting—on an 8-hour, 5-day work week, over a 50-week year. You should also offer concrete examples of how your disability limits you. Sitting Your Florida disability attorney may ask whether sitting cause problems for you. For example: Can you sit for extended periods? How long are you usually sitting? Can you sit at a desk comfortably without leaning on your elbows…Read More

If you are facing a disability hearing, it is helpful to know what to expect. An attorney from a disability law firm in Ocala, Florida can provide you with valuable information that may take much of the stress out of the process. A General Overview The presiding official at a disability hearing is the ALJ (administrative law judge). There are no opposing sides, and the atmosphere is fairly informal. Unlike you, who will have your disability law firm in Ocala, Florida attorney with you, the SSA is not represented by counsel—therefore, you will not be cross-examined, just asked questions about your disability from a neutral judge. The SSA is concerned only with granting benefits when they are merited and denying…Read More

As your Ocala, Florida disability law firm attorney can explain, the way you describe your symptoms to the judge is crucial to your case. Describing How Your Illness Makes You Feel You, and only you, can accurately describe your physical condition. Whether you suffer from pain, breathlessness, vertigo, exhaustion, etc., you know exactly how it feels. Since this is what prevents you from working, your Ocala, Florida disability law firm attorney, as well as the judge, will expect you to provide detailed descriptions of exactly what you're suffering from. Simply naming the condition is not enough. There are many people in the work force who have arthritis or lung disease. What makes the difference is how bad your condition makes you…Read More

When you and your Ocala disability lawyer attend your disability hearing, you will likely be questioned about the daily activities you perform, your work history, and your medical history. Other subjects might be broached as well. It can be to your benefit to think of specific instances from your life to use as references when replying to these questions.  Read More

Wages from a part-time position can affect your Social Security disability claim. A skilled Ocala Social Security disability lawyer can provide you with answers to questions that may arise concerning trial work period services. Is gross income or take-home considered in the trial work period services monthly amount? I am attempting to prevent my income from exceeding the limit. The trial work period services monthly income rules apply to gross income, not take-home pay. An Ocala Social Security disability attorney can explain that these rules are stringent, and deductions taken solely as a means to reduce your income are not normally permitted. What happens if I work below the "substantial gainful activity" level supposing I need more money than the…Read More

Questions often arise concerning review and attorney's fees. An experienced Ocala Social Security disability attorney can shed light on the subject, as well as answer the following frequently asked questions. What is meant by the statement that appears on the cover sheet of my favorable decision that the Appeals Council may review it "on its own motion"? At times, when benefits are awarded by the ALJ (administrative law judge), they may be revoked by the Appeals Council in Falls Church, Virginia. This does not happen very often, but when it does, the Appeals Council will notify you no later than 60 days after the judge's decision. They may reverse a decision after that period, but that is extremely uncommon. Although…Read More

The Social Security Administration (SSA), Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) and Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) each have a specific definition for "disability." A disability lawyer in Ocala, Florida will help you understand why they differ. Americans With Disabilities Act and Social Security Administration The difference in definition of "disability" between the SSA and ADA is set down in a memorandum from the Associate Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, sent to staff and judges alike. Under ADA, disability has to do with the completion of "major life activities," which is different from the definition of disability according to the SSA. Your disability lawyer in Ocala, Florida can explain this difference in more detail. DOT The Dictionary of Occupational Titles…Read More

In addition to obtaining your own testimony, your disability attorney in Ocala, Florida will question the witnesses in your case. Possible Questions Your disability attorney in Ocala, Florida may ask a witness questions regarding such issues as the following: Ability to Walk: Have you noticed over the last several years that the claimant has been unable to walk with ease? How far can the claimant walk (in city blocks) before needing to stop? When the claimant rests, how long does this take? Use of Hands and Arms: What difficulties, if any, have you noticed in the claimant's use of hands and arms? (Your disability lawyer in Ocala, Florida will ask the claimant to provide a description.) Does the claimant have…Read More