Podcast Notes: Social Security judges are busy people, and they do not have time to dig for information. Your hearing offers you the opportunity to explain to a Social Security Administration judge why you are unable to work, and your hearing will last no more than 60 minutes. The only issue that the judge really cares about involves your capacity for work – everything else is peripheral, so it does not make sense to waste valuable time pondering background information like your work history and medication lists.
More on The Information You MUST Have at Your Fingertips When You Appear at Your Hearing
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Social Security recognizes that individuals who are 50 years old or older, and who have a limited education and limited work skills will have a more difficult time entering into the workforce. The "grid rules" (officially called the medical-vocational guidelines) provide a structure whereby judges can find a claimant disabled even if that claimant can still do certain kinds of work.
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I have a good friend who works as a sales trainer. He teaches his students that "attitude is everything." In a sales context, if you exude confidence and believeability, you have much better chance at making a sale. Conversely, if you give off a "vibe" of defeatism and lack of confidence, your customers will sense your desperation and you will not be successful in sales.
More on Attitude is Everything – Are You a "Reluctant Claimant?"
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This is the second half of my interview with Colorado Springs, Colorado Social Security disability attorney Tomasz Stasiuk. Today, Tomasz and I are focusing on the mistakes that we sometimes see and suggestions about how to best prepare for your disability hearing.
More on Episode 25 – Part Two of Jonathan's Interview With Attorney Tomasz Stasiuk
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This is part one of my interview with Colorado Springs, Colorado attorney Tomasz Stasiuk. Like me, Tomasz publishes a Social Security disability blog along with his firm website, and Tomasz encourages dialog with readers of his Internet publication. Social Security disability is different from other areas of law in that claimant's lawyers like Tomasz or myself cannot observe our colleagues when they try cases. This is done to protect the privacy of the claimants but I think it makes it more difficult for disability lawyers to improve our craft. Conversations like this one – between colleagues facing similar issues can help bridge this gap. I hope you enjoy part one of my conversation with Tomasz Stasiuk.
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Jonathan Ginsberg