Social Security Disability
If you have been found disabled, you may wonder if you are permitted to continue to work part-time. While it is allowable to do so under certain circumstances, your Ocala, Florida disability lawyer will want to go over the details of your employment first so that you do not risk losing your benefits. An Ocala, Florida Disability Lawyer Explains Working Part-Time on Social Security Disability Insurance While receving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you are entitled to continue to work part-time as long as your earnings are below the substantial gainful activity amount. Benefits will never be reduced or denied on the basis of your earnings as long as you stay under that amount. The only time during which you…Read More
After being awarded disability benefits, it can typically take up to a few months to receive payment. If several months have passed, ask your Ocala, Florida disability attorney about what you should do next. An Ocala, Florida Disability Attorney May Fax the Payment Center Your attorney can send a fax to the Office of Central Operations' processing unit module, and should fax such a letter if no Notice of Award is received within 45 days of your disability decision. If 45 days pass with no response, your attorney should direct another to the attention of the module manager. If 45 days again pass with no response, your attorney should attempt a third fax to the Division Program Manager. Finally, if…Read More
If you have been found disabled, the next step is to start receiving your benefits. Your Ocala Social Security disability attorney will go over with you the amount you should expect and whether you will be receiving back benefits. Notice of Award A Notice of Award is the document that explains the details of your benefits, and it will arrive by mail around the same time a check for past-due benefits arrives or your direct deposit of benefits begins. Your Ocala Social Security disability attorney will explain that the Notice of Award will detail the amount of benefits paid to you and the amount that will go directly to pay your attorney's fees. It will also describe your eligibility for…Read More
If your disability hearing is taking place over video conference, it is important to be aware of the pros and cons. Your Ocala disability lawyer will explain to you the logistics of video hearings so that you may decide if it is the right choice for you. The Administrative Law Judge If you have been assigned a favorable administrative law judge (ALJ) for your video hearing, it is best to go forward with the video hearing rather than requesting that the hearing be held in person. Rescheduling the hearing may result in a new ALJ, as well as the possibility of a much later date. Logistical Problems If you are having a video hearing, there may be issues with your…Read More
At your hearing, the judge may request the presence of a neutral vocational expert (VE) or medical expert (ME). It is important that your Ocala, Florida Social Security disability lawyer explain to you what to expect if one of these experts is to testify at your hearing. An Ocala, Florida Social Security Disability Lawyer on Vocational Experts It is more likely than not that a vocational expert (VE) will testify at your hearing. A VE's testimony can be very influential to the outcome of your case and, unfortunately, is often the reason claimants are not successful. Essentially, a VE will explain to the judge why someone in your position could be either denied disability or found disabled. Your Ocala, Florida…Read More
Many individuals applying for disability do so because of mental limitations that accompany or result from their physical limitations. You should speak with your Ocala disability attorney about any mental or emotional issues you have related to your impairment. An Ocala Disability Lawyer on Common Mental Impairments Your attorney will be familiar with the types of mental and emotional issues about which physical disabled individuals frequently complain. He will likely ask if you have experienced problems with concentration or forgetfulness, anxiety, anger, or depression. It is important for you to explain in detail the ways in which your physical impairment has affected you mentally. Be Honest With Your Ocala Disability Attorney If you are experiencing these or any other emotional…Read More
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