"May I represent myself in a Social Security hearing?" This translates into "Do I know Social Security law well enough to represent myself?" Would you represent someone else at a Social Security hearing? If the answer is no, then surely you should not represent yourself!
The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program is governed by complicated federal regulations, found primarily in the 20 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 404, Parts 1-99. This makes up several thousand pages of regulations.
Failure to know and follow the regulations will probably result in the denial of your claim for benefits. This is true, even if you don't realize it when it happens.
For example, if the vocational expert testifies that your past work was skilled at a medium SVP, and that you possess "transferable skills" to sedentary work, you may not realize that this lays a basis for a denial.
Another example: All of your past work required lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally. You can now lift no more than 10 pounds occasionally. This may still allow over 100,000 jobs at the sedentary exertion level. Without a vigorous questioning of the vocational witness, your claim may be denied and you won't even know it until that awful denial letter comes in the mail, 6 to 12 weeks later.
There are many medical and vocational issues to be investigated at a hearing. One cannot merely sit through a hearing while "experts" who are not on his side randomly present their side of "the facts." Someone must be present who....
"Your attorney/advocate is the ONLY person in the hearing who is on your side, totally committed to helping you win and get your benefits. No one else in that room is on your side."
Get Help With Your Disability Claim - With No Fee unless you win
The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program is governed by complicated federal regulations, found primarily in the 20 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 404, Parts 1-99. This makes up several thousand pages of regulations.
Failure to know and follow the regulations will probably result in the denial of your claim for benefits. This is true, even if you don't realize it when it happens.
For example, if the vocational expert testifies that your past work was skilled at a medium SVP, and that you possess "transferable skills" to sedentary work, you may not realize that this lays a basis for a denial.
Another example: All of your past work required lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally. You can now lift no more than 10 pounds occasionally. This may still allow over 100,000 jobs at the sedentary exertion level. Without a vigorous questioning of the vocational witness, your claim may be denied and you won't even know it until that awful denial letter comes in the mail, 6 to 12 weeks later.
There are many medical and vocational issues to be investigated at a hearing. One cannot merely sit through a hearing while "experts" who are not on his side randomly present their side of "the facts." Someone must be present who....
- is on the claimant's side; fighting for his benefits.
- knows the consequences of the testimony.
- understands how to dispute unfavorable "facts," and
- has the ability to elicit testimony to show disability according to the rules and regulations.
- studied Social Security regulations for several years.
- attended hundreds or thousands of hearings before administrative law judges--and
- become familiar with how the regulations are used to award and deny claims.
"Your attorney/advocate is the ONLY person in the hearing who is on your side, totally committed to helping you win and get your benefits. No one else in that room is on your side."
Get Help With Your Disability Claim - With No Fee unless you win
There are so many things going on at once during a hearing: tough questions from the judge, vocational expert testimony, classification of your past relevant work, defense of your alleged onset date, how to prove severity of symptoms; do you meet or equal a Listed Impairment....on and on. You should not have the burden of being the claimant, the witness and the attorney...all by yourself. For heavens sake, get some help here!
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