There are many reasons why people apply for Social Security disability benefits. Unfortunately, not everyone who applies for approval has and you may be among the lucky ones who manage to successfully deliver a hearing before a judge and actually win your case. When you finally get your court date, you want to make sure that you present yourself in the best possible way to increase your chances of winning. Here are some pointers about what you can do to help you get the best out of your disability hearing.
dress part Just because you’re dressed for Social Security disability doesn’t mean you have to look miserable and desperate. Take your time to dress and look elegant because it’s what you say and the documents you have to present that will make the most difference at the hearing, not how you look. Wearing your worst clothes to attract sympathy will only appear as disrespectful and no one will take you as seriously as you expected. At least wear clean, well-ironed clothes, even if they are not formal.
Be there on time Remember that your hearing can take a long time and this may be your only chance to get what you really deserve. So it is only reasonable to make sure that you are on time for the hearing. It is best if there are several minutes before the scheduled hearing.
be honest The best way to increase your chances of winning a disability claim is to be as honest as possible even when you feel that certain facts may harm the benefits of the claim in some way. When you choose to lie to the judge, the effects can be worse when the truth leaks out. It’s better to win something than to reject the claim entirely just because of a lie you chose to tell.
Try to be a very good listener The interruption of the judge looking into the case is not only annoying, but may also anger them and lead them to a quick decision that may not be the best. Listen carefully to the questions and understand what the judge is asking before you give them an answer. Avoid being rude at all but feel free to ask for more time to explain your case in detail if you feel the judge is not doing so.
Listen to your lawyer Most disability cases are handled by lawyers and you may have one to facilitate the process for you. If you have a lawyer representing you, be sure to listen to them before the hearing. The truth is that most people know the types of questions that will be asked during a hearing and will take you through it and help you figure out how to approach the questions to finally enjoy the reward you really deserve.