Indiana Social Security Disability Legal Bog | The Law Office of Jim McKown

How do I prepare for my Indiana disability hearing?

On behalf of The Law Office of Jim McKown posted in the claims process on Wednesday, September 19, 2018.

You've waited a long time to have your disability case heard. You'll want to be prepared for all the questions that could come up in your Social Security Disability (SSD) hearing in Indiana.

So just what questions will you be expected to answer at the hearing? Here are some of the things related to your condition that you likely will be asked to discuss. As always, tell the truth and don't exaggerate.

Medical condition: The judge has the copies of your medical records, so you'll be asked to describe specifics, such as your level of pain on a scale of one to 10; your medications and side effects; or your symptoms, such as dizziness.
Medical history beyond all the records: What are your treatments?
Physical and/or mental abilities: What are your limits? How many minutes can you walk before needing to stop to rest? Do you lose your focus and concentration quickly?
Education and training: What is your traditional education, as well as vocational training, on-the-job training and military service?
Employment: What is your work experience? How much physical labor is involved in your job? How much time do you spend standing or sitting during the workday?
Typical day: What do you do from the time you wake up until you go to bed? How well do you sleep? What activities could you do before your disability that you can't perform now? Can you drive?

Will you need to attend an administrative hearing for disability?

On behalf of The Law Office of Jim McKown on Saturday, September 15, 2018.

Indiana readers understand that many initial applicants seeking disability benefits are left frustrated and concerned when their application comes back denied. A significant number of people are not successful on their first attempt to get benefits, but that is not the end of the road for these individuals. If you need benefits, you have the right to continue your fight for financial support.

There are legal options available for individuals who need disability benefits yet received a negative response to their initial claim. The process of fighting for benefits can be complex and confusing, but you do not have to walk through it alone. You have the right to seek benefits and support as you work through this often difficult and confusing process.

Government could have overpaid through assistance program

On behalf of The Law Office of Jim McKown posted in supplemental security income on Thursday, September 13, 2018.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is investigating whether it overpaid thousands of recipients nearly $400 million over the past decade and longer because of budget cuts.

At issue are payments to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients in Indiana and throughout the U.S. whose cases have not been reviewed in a timely manner. In fact, an estimated 1.1 million recipients have not undergone a review – known as a redetermination – in more than a decade, according to an estimate from the SSA's inspector general.

Why would your Social Security Disability claim be denied?

On behalf of The Law Office of Jim McKown posted in the claims process on Friday, September 7, 2018.

After waiting for months for a decision on your Social Security Disability claim, the last thing you want to receive is a letter saying that your claim was denied. Unfortunately, it happens frequently, even to people who are genuinely disabled.

While reasons for a denial can vary greatly, there are some that top the list. If you're about to apply for Social Security Disability, take note of these particular problems and what you can do to overcome them.

What must Hoosiers do to receive disability for hearing loss?

On behalf of The Law Office of Jim McKown posted in ssd and working with your doctor on Thursday, August 30, 2018.

If you are an Indiana resident suffering from a loss of hearing and can't do your job because of it, you can apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.

Hearing loss doesn't qualify you automatically for disability, but your doctor or a hearing clinic can conduct tests to help prove your level of disability.

How do Social Security Disability programs differ?

On behalf of The Law Office of Jim McKown posted in supplemental security income on Friday, August 24, 2018.

Indiana residents have heard the two terms: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Is there a difference?

How Social Security Compassionate Allowance works

On behalf of The Law Office of Jim McKown posted in social security disability on Thursday, August 16, 2018.

We hear so much about the lengthy wait Indiana residents and Americans across the United States must endure before they can receive Social Security disability (SSD) compensation.

According to Social Security Administration (SSA) reports, there are 760,000 people across the country waiting to find out if they will receive disability pay, and the waiting time averages about 19 months.

Preparing well for your reconsideration hearing

On behalf of The Law Office of Jim McKown on Tuesday, August 14, 2018.

Indiana readers understand the importance of disability benefits in the lives of men and women who are unable to work due to a medical condition, mental disability or serious injury. If you cannot work, you understand this is a serious strain for you and your family, and you may need benefits to help meet your daily needs. It can be both frustrating and overwhelming to find out your disability claim came back denied.

Unfortunately, denied disability claims are rather common, but you still have options. This is not the end of the road for you. You have the right to continue your pursuit of disability benefits by requesting a reconsideration of your application. This can be a lengthy and frustrating process, but you do not have to walk through it alone.

Indianapolis man waiting for disability panhandles for food money

On behalf of The Law Office of Jim McKown posted in social security disability on Friday, August 10, 2018.

An Indianapolis man has become the face of the wait for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits in the community. The man has been featured in local media recently, shown panhandling to survive.

He said he has been forced to ask for help since it has been a year since he applied for disability – with no decision yet. He said he had heart surgery in April 2017, and in August of that year, he applied for disability. He has no income and still doesn't know if he'll ever be approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for monthly disability payments.

Can my doctor help me prove my disability?

On behalf of The Law Office of Jim McKown posted in ssd and working with your doctor on Friday, August 3, 2018.

If you have an illness or disability that means that you are unable to work as a result, it is likely that you now have the additional burden of wondering how you are going to make a living while you are struggling with your health.

When you are in a position such as this, it is important to know more about the benefits that are potentially available to you. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are both potential options for you to benefit from. However, in order to successfully qualify for programs such as these, you must first be able to show that you are in fact disabled, which is not as easy as it sounds.

Indiana Social Security Disability Legal Blog