Although your testimony will probably be the most important testimony at your disability hearing, you and your Ocala Social Security disability claims law firm can strengthen your case by having lay witnesses testify in addition to you. Lay witnesses, such as friends, family, neighbors or colleagues, can provide compelling and important accounts of your daily activities, how you are limited and how your work has been affected.
With your permission, your Ocala Social Security disability lawyer may present testimony from a colleague or someone who knows about your work regarding your past relevant work, or the jobs you have held in the last 15 years. Since a key question of being approved for disability is proving that you can no longer perform any of those jobs, this testimony can be very helpful to your case.
Generally, you will want to provide medical evidence such as medical reports as to the onset date of your disability. If this is unavailable, your Ocala Social Security disability claims law firm might want to have family members or former employers testify about when your disability began. This date will determine when your benefits officially begin.
The regulations provide that the Social Security Administration is allowed to consider observations and testimony regarding your limitations from your family, neighbors or friends. This can be instrumental in proving what work you are still able to do and what work you can no longer do.
Your symptoms are a key part of the case that you and your Ocala Social Security disability claims law firm will present. Family and friends who have observed your symptoms and how aggravating they make your daily life will be able to provide observations about your symptoms in support of your case. They could also testify about your prior work record, what treatment or medication you have already received, what home remedies you have tried and how your symptoms progress or get aggravated.
Make sure you are prepared for your disability hearing by talking to an Ocala Social Security disability lawyer. Call CJ Henry Law Firm, PLLC at 352.304.5300.
