If you are an applicant for SSDI, you should be aware that for individuals whose application for SSDI benefits gets rejected, there exists the option of appealing. Appeals, or disability hearings, help the SSDI review the disability application in greater detail, allowing them to identify factors to approve or disprove the case better.
SSDI hearings differ slightly from other legal courtroom hearings in a couple of ways. Read more about this here . But for an applicant, the mandate remains the same: be sure you prove your disability well and convincingly if you want to win benefits at the SSDI hearing. This is especially important because the numbers are stacked against approval of applications:
Here are some tips to ensure a winning outcome at the SSDI hearing:
Ensure Disability is Well-Presented
Because SSDI is awarded to individuals with disabilities that are life-altering and renders them incapable of earning a livelihood, applicants must be clear about highlighting it at the hearing. When speaking about it, illustrate as well as possible how severe the disabling condition is and how it prevents you from working. Learn as much as possible about your medical condition, as well as the way in which your case has been presented. This will allow you to present your condition in an organized manner without missing out on any vital information.
A vocational expert may also be present at the hearing who can provide further insights on the applicability of your skill set to another job or vocation.
Show up for the Hearing
It is vital that you do not miss the hearing. Further, ensure you reach the hearing on time. In a case where you are unable to make it for any reason, ensure that reason is large enough to warrant not attending.
There are some cases where applicants are able to postpone hearings, but this should be avoided if possible.
Hire a Professional
This should be one of the priority steps you take when faced with the prospect of an SSDI hearing. The prospects of winning SSDI benefits increase exponentially when the applicant is represented by a professional lawyer or an attorney for social security benefits well.
Having a professional by your side not only ensures your case is presented in the way it is meant to, it also helps you understand the process better and arm yourself with knowledge, thus increasing chances of a win.
At Legal Rights Advocates, PLLC, we help clients who are facing the prospect of disability and preparing to live with it with dignity and independence. Our team of attorneys, over the years, has helped countless clients understand financial aid programs like SSDI, SSI, Medicare, and Medicaid better while successfully applying for them.
If you are interested in learning more about disability insurance, call us at (855) 254-7841 for immediate assistance.