GET READY TO DO BATTLE: WHY YOU REALLY NEED A LAWYER
The Social Security disability system is a mess! If it worked like it should, you would not need a lawyer or advocate. You could do it yourself....maybe. But no more. Unrepresented clients (called "unrepped") are not taken seriously. When you report for your hearing, the first thing the judge will do is offer to postpone until you find an attorney. That should tell you something! Social Security has the most narrow definition of disability in the world. It is so narrow, you can barely see light through it. For most claimants, you have to convince SSA that you are not able to perform any type of work. And you must produce doctor's records to prove it. You also have to prove the exact date upon which you became disabled. And you need medical evidence to prove it. If you intend to collect back pay, you had better pay attention to things like: Date Last Insured, Alleged Onset Date, Substantial Gainful Activity, and a lot more...