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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Show Notes:
1. understand the main issue in your case – reduce it to one or two sentences
Example: In 2004 I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I continued to work until August of 2006 when I finally resigned because the symptoms and complications of my disease increased to the point where I could no longer get through a workday or a work week. Specifically, by August of 2006 I was no longer able to walk without a walker, my fatigue had increased to the point where I needed to lie down for 2 hours during the middle of the day.
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Jonathan Ginsberg
