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During an Administrative Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), as a claimant, you will need to answer a variety of questions related to your mental or physical condition that is at issue in the hearing. The ALJ or your Ocala disability lawyer will pose questions to you to help the ALJ gain a better understanding of your condition, and the limitations that arise because of the condition. One line of questioning during the disability hearing may involve your ability to travel. These type of questions are asked to gauge your ability to leave the house and travel to and from a job or while on a job, whether on her own or with some assistance. Your ability to travel…Read More

What is a consultation examination and why do I have to have one? If Social Security decision makers review your file and decide that they need more information about your medical condition before making a decision, they may send you for a consultative examination. A consultative exam is a physical or mental exam that the state disability determination agency arranges for you to undergo. You may be asked to submit to a consultative examination before the initial determination on your claim is made or after you appeal a denial. Here are some common reasons why you might be asked to undergo a consultative examination: • Social Security decision makers need an expert opinion about your condition, but your doctor is…Read More

The Social Security disability hearing is an opportunity for you to appear before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) with your Ocala disability lawyer, to prove that you are eligible to receive disability benefits. During the disability hearing, the ALJ may ask you questions regarding your Residual Functional Capacity, or RFC. The Social Security Administration or SSA, uses RFC to determine the type of work you are able to engage in given your medical condition. For this reason, during an Administrative Hearing, it may be necessary to determine how much weight you are able to lift and carry, and if you have any postural or manipulative limitations. For example, the ALJ may ask you to explain whether you can lift and…Read More

The Social Security Administration or SSA denies the majority of initial disability applications. A claimant can appeal the disability claim denial by requesting an Administrative Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, or ALJ. One of the issues during a disability hearing is a claimant’s Residual Functional Capacity, or RFC. The RFC is a claimant’s ability to work after taking into account the claimant’s physical or mental condition. During a disability hearing, as a claimant, you will testify under oath regarding your condition and answer questions posed by the ALJ and your Ocala disability lawyer. Since your RFC is a measure of your working abilities, when answering questions about tasks you can do, you should keep in mind what it would…Read More

At your Social Security disability hearing, your Ocala disability lawyer or the Administrative Law Judge will ask your witnesses questions about their observations of you. During the hearing, a witness is under oath and must answer all questions truthfully and completely. Depending on your relationship with the witness, your Ocala disability lawyer may question the witness a variety of topics ranging from your mobility to any physical symptoms the witness has noticed. For example, if you have movement problems, your Ocala disability lawyer may ask your witness to describe any times he or she has seen you have difficulty walking or using your arms and hands. For clarification, your lawyer can ask the witness to estimate how far you would…Read More

Your Ocala disability lawyer may recommend asking family, friends and co-workers to testify on your behalf during your Social Security disability hearing. Having witnesses testify on your behalf can strengthen your case and provide the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) with additional information and perspective regarding your condition. Before your hearing, your Ocala disability lawyer will meet with any potential witnesses to discuss their testimony, and what a witness can expect during the hearing. At this preliminary interview, your Ocala disability lawyer will assess whether the potential witness will be beneficial to your disability claim and explain to the witness what kind of testimony will be most effective at a Social Security disability hearing. For example, if the witness is a…Read More

If you suffer from a mental impairment, your Ocala Social Security lawyer or the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will question you during your hearing to determine your “mental residual functional capacity.” Your mental RFC is your ability to perform work related tasks, despite your mental condition. For example, during the hearing you may need to answer questions involving your ability to understand and complete instructions. The ALJ or your disability lawyer may ask you if you are able to remember instructions, or if you have any difficulty maintaining concentration for a prolonged period. The Administrative Law Judge may also want to know if you can work independently without constant supervision, or if you need special supervision to complete all tasks.…Read More

You can appeal the denial of your application for Social Security disability benefits at an Administrative Hearing. During the Administrative Hearing, you will testify under oath before an Administrative Law Judge, or ALJ. Both the ALJ and your Ocala disability lawyer can ask you questions about you medical condition. For example, to determine what type of work, if any, you can engage in, you will answer questions about your Residual Functional Capacity, or RFC. RFC is the ability you retain to work despite your medical impairment.  Your RFC helps the ALJ can gain an understanding about what physical activities you can engage in on a daily basis. If sitting throughout an 8-hour workday is a problem for you, the ALJ…Read More

If you received a Social Security disability claim denial, you can appeal the denial at a disability hearing. During a Social Security disability hearing, you will testify before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) about your medical condition. The ALJ and your Ocala disability lawyer can ask you questions about your condition, including how the condition affects your ability to engage in substantial gainful activity. If you suffer from fatigue and it affects your ability to maintain a job and complete routine tasks, describe the fatigue so that the ALJ can gain a better understanding of why the fatigue makes you eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. Both the ALJ and your Ocala disability lawyer can question you during the…Read More

If you suffer from shortness of breath, it is important to describe this condition accurately to an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) during your Social Security disability hearing. During the disability hearing, your Ocala disability lawyer and the ALJ will ask you questions regarding your condition. These questions help an ALJ achieve a better understanding of your medical condition and why you are eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. You will testify under oath during the hearing, and must answer all questions completely. First, your Ocala disability lawyer or the ALJ will ask you questions related to what causes your shortness of breath. Many things can cause shortness of breath including allergies, stress, and lung congestion. Next, the ALJ or…Read More