Denied at the Social Security hearing? Request the hearing tapes!
DisabilityAppeal.com has a interesting article on the importance of requesting the hearing tape if you are denied at hearing.
In many instances, once the tapes are obtained and listened to, parts of the record will be inaudible. And in a lot of cases can’t produce the tapes at all because they have been purportedly lost (usually when an ALJ said something during the disability benefits hearing that may reflect poorly upon him). An incomplete or missing record, when noted in a legal brief sent to the Appeals Council … results in an almost automatic sending of the …
Social Security hearing tip: Watch out for these questions!
The Social Security Disability Blog got me thinking about some of the questions I have heard Judges ask at hearings.
It is fairly common to be asked the following questions during a Social Security hearing:
How long can you sit?
How long can you stand?
How far can you walk?
How much can you carry?
Be careful, your answers might get you into hot water.
People want to answer by telling the Judge the most they can do:
Well, I can walk for about half a mile.
The problem is that the Judge is trying to determine your “residual functional capacity” (RFC): what you can still …
Where can I find Social Security forms?
Are you looking for a specific Social Security form? Social Security has a page where you can find it.
You can search for a form or browse by category:
Prepare for Your Interview
Benefits Claims Supporting Forms
Medicare Prescription Drug Help Forms
Other Forms
Forms for Other Agencies
Forms You Can Complete and Submit Online
Listed below are the most frequently used appeal forms:
SSA-61 Request for Review By a Federal Reviewing Official
SSA-561-U2 Request for Reconsideration
HA-501-U5 Request for Hearing by Administrative Law Judge…
Social Security myths: you have to be denied twice before you can win
MYTH: Clients often tell me that you have to be denied two or three times before Social Security will approve your case. I am not sure how these rumors get started but unfortunately, this belief often causes people to take what may be the wrong action in their case.
REALITY: If you are denied (on an initial claim), you may be able to file a Request for Reconsideration (appeal 1) and if that is denied, a Request …
