Resources

An Ocala Social Security disability law firm is used to getting a number of questions regarding benefits and the application process. Here are some of the common questions that this Ocala Social Security disability law firm receives. When Will I Begin Receiving Benefits? After being approved for benefits, most claimants can expect to receive regular monthly benefits the month after they receive their check for past-due benefits. In some cases, claimants receive their first check for monthly benefits before they receive the past due benefits. Claimants typically receive their funds on the second, third or fourth Wednesday of every month. The timing depends on the day that you were born. The check provides payment for benefits of the previous month,…Read More

An Ocala Social Security disability lawyer will explain each step of the claims process. One important aspect is the Medical-Vocational grids. The Social Security Administration utilizes these grids to determine if the applicant is disabled. This is the time in the process when the applicant's age, education and past work experience are taken into consideration. Age Grid There are four categories for ages on the Medical-Vocational Guidelines. These include: Individuals who are between the age of 60 and 64; Individuals who are between the age of 55 and 59; Individuals who are between 50 and 54 years of age; and Individuals who are between the age of 18 and 49. The SSA takes age into consideration when determining whether you…Read More

An Ocala Social Security Disability Attorney Discusses Your Testimony In the paragraphs below, an Ocala Social Security disability attorney offers useful advice on how to focus your testimony. Just The Facts The argument that there is a lack of suitable jobs in the market is one often used by claimants as a justification for their claim. It is not adviseable that you attempt to argue when you present your case to the ALJ. Judges are not concerned with the availablity of work. They are far more concerned with your ability to perform on a job if it was available to you. Rather than base your testimony on the job market, you should explain how your impairment would limit your ability…Read More

The unfortunate fact is that sometimes even severely impaired claimants are denied disability benefits. This should not stop you from applying, though. Your Ocala Social Security disability attorney will explain errors SSA sometimes makes in denying claims. Reasons for Claim Denial There are several possibilities for why SSA denied your claim. The severity of your impairment may have been erroneously assessed. If SSA did not consider all of your impairments together or all of the medical evidence available, your claim may have been wrongly denied. Claims are often denied if SSA does not give the appropriate consideration to your statements of pain, symptoms or ability to do past work. Finally, SSA sometimes denies claims if your ability and intelligence level…Read More

It's imperative for an Ocala Social Security disability lawyer to obtain a doctor's opinion on your condition as even a non controlling physician opinion can persuade the SSA to reward your benefits. An Ocala Social Security Disability Benefits Lawyer Explains How a Non-Controlling Opinion Is Still Useful The decision maker of your case will accept doctor's opinion as long as he is able to support his conclusion that you are disabled instead of merely stating that you are disabled. This means that they may consider your doctor's opinion even if he is not deemed as controlling. The SSA Will Consider the Following Questions to Decide How Much Weight They Will Give to Your Treating Source's Opinion What is the nature…Read More

An Ocala Social Security disability benefits attorney may ask a vocational expert, or VE, to provide testimony to an administrative law judge on behalf of a claimant. A VE has an understanding of both the skills needed to perform various jobs and the availability of different jobs within the current market. The VE can provide testimony about the kinds of jobs a claimant may be able to perform considering his or her limitations. Questions for a VE In most cases, an ALJ or Ocala Social Security disability lawyer will not ask the VE questions about the erosion of the occupational base or vocational adjustment. The questions a VE might be asked are: In the past, what were the physical demands…Read More

Two-thirds of all initial applications for disability benefits are denied, even with the help of an Ocala Social Security disability benefits law office. However, do not be discouraged; your chances improve dramatically if you appeal your rejection, especially if you appeal to the administrative law judge hearing level. It can be easy to fall into a cycle of hopelessness if your initial claim is denied because you feel frustrated. But try to keep in mind that the initial decision on a claim is not made by a judge but by employees of a state agency that contracts with the Social Security Administration. The Other Side of the Story That said, sometimes there are legitimate reasons that a claim is denied…Read More

An Ocala Social Security disability benefits law firm may ask a Social Security claimant who is still working to document his or her income. Following are some helpful tips about what should be included and what should be deducted from a claimant's income statement. What Should Be Included The Social Security Administration seeks income information in order to determine how much a claimant earns from the actual work he or she performs. This means that income from working, plus any bonuses, should be included. What Should Be Deducted Vacation pay and sick pay should be excluded because this pay is given without any actual work from the claimant. If the claimant has medical expenses that are related to his or…Read More

Many disability claimants who reach the hearing stage after being denied twice feel get very anxious about the hearing. Sitting in front of a judge in a formal setting and telling your story, hoping that he believes what you say, can be intimidating for many. Your Ocala Social Security disability law office will give you the information and guidance you need to prepare yourself ahead of time. The Role of Your Disability Attorney Your attorney from the Ocala Social Security disability law office will likely meet with you some time before the date of the hearing in order to go over the facts of your impairment and the relevant legal issues. Your attorney will try to relieve any causes of…Read More

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. Past Relevant Work 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…Read More