Are you unable to work due to a medical condition or disability? You may qualify for disability benefits through the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) if so.
Be aware, the process of receiving benefits can be lengthy and complex. Often, it involves participating in hearings in front of judges.
Various factors can influence whether you win or lose your disability hearing. Common warning signs indicating you’ve lost a hearing include the following:
1. You have not had recent medical treatment.
A thorough disability benefits claim will include substantial medical evidence. Test results, physician statements, and other such evidence can serve to illustrate that you can’t work. If you haven’t undergone medical treatment recently, you may not have much evidence to offer.
It’s worth noting that if you haven’t had any need to undergo recent medical treatment, your condition may not be severe enough to prevent you from working. At the very least, this is the conclusion the judge may arrive at if you can’t show that you’ve received treatment in the past few weeks or months.
2. You’re not following a treatment plan.
The SSA’s goal isn’t necessarily for you to receive disability benefits indefinitely. Once you’re able to return to work, the SSA will want you to do so.
Because of this, the SSA often looks more favorably on claimants who are following treatment plans. Your goal is to show the SSA that you’re not attempting to avoid getting better because you fear you will no longer be eligible for benefits if your condition improves.
3. You can work.
To qualify for disability benefits, you need to be unable to work and earn an income. If you can work, you likely don’t need disability benefits.
It’s important to understand that not everyone might be in agreement on this topic. You may feel you genuinely don’t have the ability to work. The judge may feel you haven’t provided enough evidence to show you’re unable to participate in substantial gainful activity (SGA).
This once again highlights the importance of providing thorough medical evidence when submitting a disability claim. Even if you know you can’t work, you might nevertheless lose your disability hearing if you can’t convince the judge.
4. The judge seems skeptical.
Your impressions of the judge’s mood and overall demeanor could provide you with hints regarding whether you’ve lost your disability hearing.
Is the judge asking questions in a way that suggests they are trying to poke holes in your story? Are they generally coming across as skeptical?
This type of evidence doesn’t prove you’ve lost your hearing. However, it could give you a sense of which direction the judge is leaning in.
Get Help With Your Claim
Proving you deserve disability benefits isn’t a task you need to handle alone. By hiring an attorney, you could theoretically improve your chances of receiving the benefits for which you’re eligible. Fill out the Free Case Evaluation today to get connected with an independent social security attorney who subscribes to the website and may be able to help with your case.
