A Baltimore Disability Hearing Lawyer Tells You 5 Things Not To Say at Your Social Security Hearing
5. Don’t say yes to the “dream job” trick question!
If the Judge describes what sounds like a perfect job, easy enough for you to do with your limitations, and then asks you if you could work that job, it’s usually a trick question! Usually someone with limitations could do the “dream job” for a few hours, but not a whole work day (8 hour day) or whole work week (5 full days). Talk to your lawyer about it if you have one. If you don’t, get a lawyer! Contact us for a free case evaluation from a Baltimore Disability Hearing Lawyer.
4. Don’t say your doctors are wrong during the hearing and interject your own opinion about medical issues.
Yes, doctors are sometimes wrong but you can get a second or third opinion from another doctor. The judge gives special deference to medical experts and you are probably not a medical expert. Even if you are a doctor or nurse, you are not allowed to be a medical expert at your own hearing.
3. Don’t say you can work if it’s only part-time.
Some people who are disabled can work part-time, but only if it’s under about $18,000 per year. Over that amount is called “Substantial Gainful Activity” or “SGA” – if you work and make over SGA for more that about 6 months then you are generally considered not disabled. It usually doesn’t matter how bad your medical condition is if you are making over about $18,000 per year (2024 dollars). There are exceptions however, and a Baltimore Disability Hearing Lawyer, like us, can explain them to you. Contact us for a free consultation or more information.
2. Don’t say “I didn’t have time to find a lawyer.”
It’s overwhelming when you have a disability that destroyed your ability to work, then some nameless bureaucrat at Social Security denies your case. We get it! But if you knew how easy it is for most people to get a lawyer, you would probably make the call right away. First of all, you don’t pay any fees unless you win. The most you’ll pay if you don’t win is a few hundred dollars in medical records reimbursement, and you won’t pay that until after the hearing. That’s reasonable, right? Second, the fee is based on 25% of back pay, and has a cap of $7,200 (2024 cap). So if you win $50,000 in back pay, you’ll only pay $7,200 in fees, unless the case was remanded from US Federal court and you had multiple hearings. But that is extremely rare. Third, you can get a lawyer without leaving your house with just a 30 minute (average) phone call! All the paperwork can be done by mail or email. So what are you waiting for, contact us for a Baltimore Disability Hearing Lawyer
1. Don’t lie to the judge!
Credibility is everything to most judges. If a judge thinks you’re lying, they will probably find you not disabled. If a judge thinks you’re telling the truth, they will probably approve your case. You may think that a truthful answer might damage your case, and that may be true, but lying will hurt your case more than telling the truth. Honesty is the best policy!