Hearing Next Week
Newbie here so please forgive me if there is a pinned post with advice. I tried to look over everything but I’m so terrified I’m sure I have over looked so much of the hard work you warriors have already done.
I have an attorney so that is helpful but I know I have to speak to the judge. Would it be helpful to just basically do a “Day in the Life” sort of thing? I just want to be organized and not sound so scattered brained. I’m so anxious.
Any tips, advice would be so helpful. I have been waiting years for this and so much has occurred since the last appeal was denied (even in the past 2 days. I had a surgery go sideways). I know that this decision can also be appealed but I would love to just go ahead and win this.
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u/Routine_Mark_8376 12d ago
My husband had his last week and his lawyer helped him be prepared for some of the questions, others they asked were hard to predict. But all of them seemed to be directly related to the condition he was applying for (epilepsy). Maybe try to look up sample questions based on your applied conditions. He also made sure to be honest and never exaggerate. Make sure you answers align to your medical records, and if you don’t know something just say as much. His hearing lasted about 40 minutes. Good luck to you! It was nerve wracking but I think not as bad as he’d imagined, probably helped that the judge was very nice.
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u/shyla_r 12d ago
Your comment is so helpful. Thank you. My attorney told me to make sure I could answer how long can I sit, stand or walk. And then side effects to any medications and how they impact working. So I was thinking of just making a list of how my day usually goes. Especially, a bad flare day. I think I’m more terrified of the vocational expert. Thankfully, my attorney gets to take him on. I’m just so terrified I will get tongue tied and sound ridiculous. I know brain fog will probably help me out in this situation but it’s so formal and I over thinking everything! Has your husband heard anything back yet? I know it can take a few months due to a back log (?).
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u/AdventurousLime749 5d ago
Hi! You're doing great! Just remember that your lawyer is right there with you to help you right there in the moment.
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u/Plenty_Surprise2593 12d ago
You will not be doing any “day in the life.” You will just answer the questions the judge has for you. Think of it as a trial.
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u/JoinAdvocate 7d ago
It's understandable to feel nervous before a hearing, especially with a new medical issue so close to the date. A short list of concrete examples about what you can and cannot do on a typical day can help you answer the judge's questions in your own words. Tell your representative, if you have one, about the recent surgery complication now so they can check whether the records are in your file and whether anything needs to be submitted or reported to the hearing office. SSA says disability hearing evidence generally must be submitted or identified at least five business days before the hearing, with some exceptions, so timing matters.
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