Unfortunately, some of the worst backlogs are in Cleveland, Detroit, and in the Chicago area.

I am sure that if you live in those areas you might be wondering what your lawyer is doing to try to get your case resolved and why it’s taking so long. Please be assured that is not your lawyer’s fault. Social Security acknowledges the backlogs and is making an effort to speed up decision-making process so that you get the Social Security disability benefits that you are owed.

I know that doesn’t help you in this time of financial need. I know that many of you go without medical care because you have to choose between eating and keeping a roof over your head and getting medical care. There are many social service agencies that can help you. Please contact your attorney who will be happy to provide you with this information.

Tampa Bay Social Security attorneys, Cavey and Barrett, can help with claims in this area.

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One of the proposals to reduce the Social Security Disability Benefit backlog was the formation of a National Hearing Center (NHC) to hear cases by videoconferencing from the Offices with the longest waiting times. That is now a reality and the national hearing office was opened in Falls Church, Virginia in December 2007.

7 Administrative Law Judges (ALJ) were assigned to hear cases from the Atlanta, Cleveland, and Detroit areas by video. You appear in an office with a video camera and watch the ALJ on the screen as you answer the ALJ’s questions.

While we applaud this effort and  admit that video teleconferencing is a great tool, our experience has not been favorable. In those cases where the honesty or credibility of the applicant is in dispute, video teleconferencing just does not cut it. In those cases, a good old fashioned hearing in front of the ALJ is crucial. A face to face conversation with the ALJ can make the difference between winning or losing your Social Security Disability Claim. If you have any questions contact us here.

If you would like more information about your rights regarding Social Security Disability Benefits, you can order our FREE book,"Your Rights to Social Security Disability Benefits" by submitting the form in the sidebar. We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Social Security Disability Benefits, visit our law firm web site at CaveyLaw.com. If you would like to speak with one of our Social Security Disability Benefits attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (727) 897-9117 or simply submit our contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

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Do you have good days and bad days?

Another non-exertional impairment that is important to develop so you can win your Social Security Disability is whether you have good days and bad days. If you have good days and bad days that means that your abilities differ from day to day. That impacts your employability!

It is important to explain how many days per month you have good and bad days and what cause you to have bad days. Explain how you ability to function changes on a bad day, how long it takes you to recover from bad day, what you can and can’t do on a bad day, how you medications use may change, and how you may need assistance around the house or with your personal needs. Paint a picture for your lawyer about what a bad day is like for you and its impacts on your functionality.

For more information, and for help with your claim, click here or call 727-894-3188.

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You decided to set up an appointment with a Social Security lawyer, like Nancy Cavey, to talk about your social security disability claim. I am sure you are wondering what you are going to be asked by this lawyer. Here is a list of some questions you will be asked at your initial appointment.

The first series of questions are background, the second of questions are medical, third deal with pain, the fourth is functionality, the fifth is medications, sixth is physical limitations, and seventh is good and bad days.

Let’s start with the background questions:

1. When did you apply for benefits?

2. What date did you say you became unable to work?

3. What date did you  actually stop working and why?

4. Why can’t you working now?

5. Who did you work for during the 15 years before you became unable to work, what was the name of job and your duties, hours per day, reason for leaving, hours per week, and rate of pay. How many hours per day did you have to sit, stand, and walk.

6. In your most recent job what was the greatest weight and average weight you had to lift or carry, did you use machines, tools or equipment, did you write reports, have any supervisory responsibilities, did your medical problems effect you ability to do your last job and, if so, how?

7. What is your education? How well do you read? Did you repeat any grades or were you in any special classes? Can you do basic math?

8. Do you have any vocational training?

9. Did you serve in military? Getting any veteran’s disability benefits?

We will review the medical questions next! If you have any questions call St. Petersburg based Social Security disability attorney, Nancy Cavey.

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