If you are denied Social Security disability benefits when you first apply for them in southern California, join the crowd; most people receiving payments were initially denied. Obtaining Social Security disability benefits isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. If your initial application was denied, obtain the advice and services of an experienced Los Angeles Social Security disability attorney, and prepare yourself for an appeal hearing with an administrative law judge. When you are assigned a date for a hearing, your disability lawyer will inform you about the hearing procedure and what is expected. Here are some recommendations:
- Dress appropriately. Don’t overdress, but don’t appear too casual, either. You want to project honesty, modesty, and humility. Your attorney may have further advice.
- Arrive early. Unless your attorney tells you something different, be sure to arrive at the hearing about thirty minutes early. If you genuinely need disability benefits, do not be late.
- Keep it confidential. It’s best not to talk about your case with anyone but your attorney. Don’t post about your case online, either. If anyone connected to the Social Security Administration overhears you or finds something you’ve posted, it could be misinterpreted and used against you.
- Turn off your phone before you enter the hearing room, and don’t bring any food or beverages.
If you have become disabled and are unable to work for any reason, hiring a good disability lawyer dramatically increases the chances that you will be awarded benefits. However, it’s going to take time – sometimes more than a year. You’ll have plenty of paperwork to complete, and you’ll probably have to attend at least one hearing and maybe more. If you are applying to receive Social Security disability benefits in southern California, or if you’re disabled and only wondering if you qualify, speak with an experienced Los Angeles Social Security disability attorney as quickly as possible.