CJ Henry Law Firm - Your Disability Law Partner

Don’t offer testimony that is irrelevant to your case. There are certain facts that an administrative law judge is not allowed to take into consideration when making a decision in regards to your claim, including:

• State of the economy
• Whether you would actually be hired for a job
• Changes and advances in the use of technology in your field
• Willingness to work at a particular job
• Employer hiring practices
• Dearth of work in the local area
• Lack of job openings
• Inability to get work
• Inadequacy of the pay of a job

Don’t attempt to show that you are a “good” person. In the hope of influencing the judge, you might feel inclined to talk about your positive personal qualities. Virtue or morality is not a reason to be awarded disability benefits—being disabled under SSA guidelines is. Worse, such an attempt could backfire if it is unfavorably read by the judge as an attempt to gain his or her sympathy.

Don’t declare your honesty to the judge. As with trying to prove your “goodness” to a judge, stating that you are honest might backfire. You prove your honesty by offering truthful testimony on matters relevant to your claim, not by telling the judge how honest you are.

Don’t be dramatic about your case. Putting on a show for the judge is not telling the truth. As the only way to prove your honesty is by telling the truth, even just exaggerating can undermine the judge’s belief that you are being truthful. If, on the other hand, you have real physical discomfort at the hearing and need to stop for a break, you should tell your Ocala Social Security disability lawyer as well as the judge.

For help with your Social Security disability claim from experienced Ocala disability attorney CJ Henry, call (352) 304-5300 or fill out the claim evaluation form at the top of this page.