If you have rheumatoid arthritis, requesting an ALJ hearing can provide you with another opportunity to form a more convincing case in front of the judge.
You need to have the proper supporting evidence to prove that your condition has greatly prevented you from carrying on with your career.
You should seek help from an experienced attorney to compile valid medical evidence and other supporting documentation.
About Rheumatoid Arthritis
It started with mild aches and pains in the bones and joints.
Soon thereafter, mild pain morphed into chronic debilitating pain that shot through several of your vital organs.
The development of rheumatoid arthritis made it impossible to even sit down in a chair at the office.
Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits seemed like the best way to recover the financial losses caused by the devastating medical condition.
However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) denied your claim, and now you have one more chance to receive financial assistance by requesting an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing with rheumatoid arthritis.
What You Need to Know about an ALJ Hearing
Should you be concerned the SSA denied your SSDI application?
More than 60 percent of SSDI application submitted to the SSA come back denied.
The SSA refers to a resource called the Blue Book to determine eligibility for SSDI benefits.
Although rheumatoid arthritis lists under section 14.09 of the Blue Book, you have to make a persuasive case that you deserve financial relief because the medical condition has prevented you from generating any kind of income.
An ALJ hearing can reverse a denied claim, and in fact, more than 50 percent of SSDI appeals end favorably for SSDI applicants.
Starting the process for requesting an ALJ hearing involves visiting the closest Office of Disability Adjudication Review (ODAR) to schedule an ALJ hearing.
You should also ask questions to determine how to prepare for the hearing.
During the ALJ hearing, expect the judge presiding over the case to ask several questions concerning your medical status, as well as how the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis have negatively impacted your career.
The judge is not there to be your adversary. Instead, he or she is responsible for determining your eligibility to receive SSDI financial relief.
If you win your appeal for SSDI benefits, you should immediately begin receiving checks to cover the costs of medical care and the expenses associated with daily living expenses.
Tips for Winning an SSDI Application Appeal
The most important tip for winning an appeal is to reach out to a state licensed disability attorney who specializes in representing clients at ALJ hearings.
Your lawyer should help you prepare for the hearing by conducting at least one mock question and answer session.
“Practice makes perfect” should be your mantra to improve your chances of having your appeal approved by the ALJ.
Lack of evidence represents the number one reason why the SSA denies SSDI applications.
Asking medical care experts to present testimony at the ALJ hearing goes along way towards establishing credibility.
Arrive at the ALJ hearing at least 30 minutes before the administrative law proceeding begins.
The judge has the power to dismiss your claim if you arrive just one minute late.
Arriving early also provides you and your attorney the opportunity to go over the legal strategy one more time.
You should be ready to explain how the development of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms has adversely impacted your daily routine.
Contact a Social Security Disability Attorney
Most SSDI benefits applicants go it alone when submitting the application.
Before you request an ALJ hearing, you should contact a Social Security disability lawyer to prepare for your case.
An experienced disability attorney is your legal advocate when it comes to receiving SSDI benefits for rheumatoid arthritis. Most disability lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.
