Every so often, the Social Security Administration releases a ranking report to the general public in an effort to show how efficient – or inefficient – their specific hearing locations are. While this list includes every hearing office in the United States, it’s just an average and should be treated as such.

To check out how your hearing location ranks among the rest in the country, CLICK HERE to view Social Security’s press release.

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A claimant’s work history is crucial to the determination of whether a person can be rendered disabled because it shows what the person was able to do when healthy. In the world of Social Security Disability, a claimant needs to show that he/she is not only incapable of performing their last work, but it also incapable of performing ANY other job in the local or national economy.

If the claimant can only prove they cannot perform their last work, they may get denied even at the hearing level. To find out how to win your case if you don’t meet a medical listing, CLICK HERE for a great read.

Bob’s social security disability case is denied upon the initial application. He has been out of work for 8 months and not receiving any income. Bob appeals his case and requests a hearing, but it could take up to 14 months for that hearing date to arrive. After waiting another 6 months after he filed his appeal, Bob decides that he needs to try and do something to earn some money. At this point, Bob has been out of work and receiving no income for 14 months. If Bob goes back to work, will his case be dismissed?

No.

Since Bob has been out of work for over 12 months and if he is able to prove that his injuries or impairments were severe enough to prevent him from working, Bob still might have a claim for disability benefits. Depending on Bob’s ability to work, or inability work, his attempt to go back will have significant ramifications on his case.

To find out what factors come into play if a claimant attempts to return to work while their disability case is pending, CLICK HERE.

Disability lawyers Brian Mittman and Scott Daniels tackle one of the most common questions that an injured worker has – “What is the difference between Worker’s Compensation and Social Security Disability Benefits?”

Can you receive both worker’s compensation and social security at the same time?

How much money can you receive from each program?

What has to be proven in order to receive each program?

CLICK HERE to listen to Brian Mittman and Scott Daniels break down how an individual can maximize their monetary benefits if they’ve been injured and can no longer work as a result.

A work history provides insight into how long a potential disability recipient has contributed into the Social Security system. Someone with a long and steady work history will be favored by a disability ananlyst or Administrative Law Judge because the program was designed to compensate individuals who have contributed into the system.

A work history also provides information about the claimant’s job skills. Claimant’s who have held supervisory roles or positions that require a particular skillset might be more employable than a claimant who has worked in one industry all of their lives. 

Social Security is interested in a person’s work history over the last 15 years. Each and every job held in the last 15 years can potentially shed light on what a claimant might be able to do in the workforce.

For more information about why an employment history is important to a disability claim, please visit www.markhofflaw.com

Knowing what will be asked of you in the hearing before you show up can seriously increase your chances of winning disability benefits. If you are able to provide answers with clarity and specificity, the hearing will be conducted in a much smoother fashion and you will appear much more credible.

Check out this great article on the most popular topics at a disability hearing.

In an effort to explain the difference between disability benefits and regular “old-age” benefits, THIS ARTICLE goes a step farther to break down the specific components of regular benefits vs. disability benefits.

CLICK HERE to view a great piece on the various components of social security benefits and to be linked to the NY Times piece.

Markhoff & Mittman’s series of live disability webcasts continues tonight with a very special episode on the diagnosis of radiculopathy, what it is, how it affects the body and how it can affect your Social Security Disability Case.

Joining Markhoff & Mittman attorneys Brian Mittman and Scott Daniels, Dr. David Steiner from Uptown Chiropractic will stop by to discuss the complexity behind radiculopathy and how it can be treated.

This is the second part of a two-part series that has taken a look at back injuries and how it can translate into a winning disability claim. If you, or someone you know, has been suffering from back pain and isn’t quite sure what it is, you do not want to miss this episode.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN DIRECTLY TO THE LIVE BROADCAST, or visit www.markhofflaw.com for a complete listing of archived webcasts.

Millions of people across the country are under the impression that they will be entitled to disability benefits based solely on the fact that they are unable to work. This is simply not true.

In fact, before the Social Security Administration even looks at a person’s alleged injuries or impairments, they will first look to see whether a person is eligbile for disability benefits. If the Administration deems a person ineligible, their application will be denied immediately, with no consideration to the person’s alleged disabilities.

So how does the Social Security Administration determine if a person is eligible?

New York disability lawyer Scott Daniels will address this topic tonight on blogtalkradio as part Markhoff & Mittman’s ongoing series of live disability webcasts.

CLICK HERE to be directed to the show.  You can also log onto www.markhofflaw.com, scroll down to the right hand side of the homepage for a listing of all archived shows.