Auto Accident Law 101
Present At Your SSDI Appeal: The Vocational Expert
Everett Cook
It can be extremely disappointing to receive a denial from the Social Security Administration (SSA) after months of waiting. Fortunately, the SSA provides those turned down for benefits a second chance. It's important for applicants to understand that almost all applicants get turned down when they apply but that some find success at the appeal. An important influencer is present at the appeal meeting and understanding their role might help you get your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Read on to find out more.
The Vocational Expert (VE)
The VE works for the SSA and sits in on all appeals. These professionals are trained in the human resources field to answer questions from the hearing officer about job skills. When it comes to jobs, workers must perform certain tasks. It is an applicant's inability to do those tasks that qualify them for benefits. As an applicant, you must be able to show that you are unable to perform the tasks of your job given your medical condition. One reason many applicants get turned down is that they fail to show how their particular medical condition affected their ability to perform at their job. For example, if your medical condition is causing you numbness in your hands, you might have a challenge if you want to show that you need benefits when you are unable to do your public speaking job.
Challenging the VE
Appeal hearings can be stressful and intimidating to some applicants. You are standing before an administrative law judge who has a VE to consult with. You don't have to have a Social Security lawyer with you, but doing so could make all the difference in the world. Social Security lawyers understand how the system works and what the judge needs to hear to approve you for benefits. Many SSDI applicants will experience a rushed and unsuccessful appeal experience due to not understanding how things work.
For example, when the judge asks the VE for an opinion, you have a right to cross-examine the VE. That is where having an expert on your side comes in handy. A VE has no medical training and they are not qualified to answer questions about your medical condition. Your lawyer will have both full knowledge of your limitations as well as the work requirements of your previous job. The VE may recommend that you are able to perform at other jobs and your lawyer can counter that the other job is also out of the question given your medical condition.
As soon as you know your benefits have been denied, speak to a Social Security lawyer like Smith Jordan, P.A. Attorneys at Law about your case.
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After being involved in a serious auto accident with a drunk driver, I struggled heavily with getting the driver's insurance company to open a claim. When the insurance company started pushing back, I knew I needed to do something. I spent a lot of time digging through the laws surrounding auto accident claims so that I knew what my legal rights were. I even talked with an auto accident attorney. I created this site to teach others about what I learned, including my court experience. I hope it helps you to determine how you should proceed with your auto accident case.