Testifying at Your Tampa Social Security Disability Hearing

There are six main types of questions that will be asked of you at your disability hearing.

You will be asked about your employment history, education, medical history, symptoms, limitations, and daily activities. If you are represented by a Tampa disability attorney, he or she will help you prepare for specific questions you might be asked.

There are three things that you ought to do to ensure the best possible outcome from your testimony.

First, tell your story. Your testimony is your only chance to really humanize all of the documents and records and truly explain why you are applying for Social Security disability benefits. You will need to give plenty in the way of explanations, details, and facts in order to make it clear to the judge that you are eligible for Social Security disability benefits. A Social Security disability hearing is not like a criminal trial—you should not worry about saying too much.

Second, approximate dates when you do not recall them. Though the administrative law judge is likely to appreciate an exact date, it is better to give the most accurate answer that you can remember rather than give a wrong date, which can make the judge think that you are lying. In case you forget a date, you can say that you are estimating and then give a precise date, or you can give just a month and year, a season and a year, or just a year if that is all you are certain of.

Last, but not least, you should always tell the truth in your testimony. You should be frank about both your abilities and your limitations. Also, do not over-think the questions that the judge asks you; ask for clarification if you need it, but answer in a straightforward way. Even someone who would normally qualify for Social Security disability benefits may be denied if the judge finds that something he or she said was untruthful.

A qualified Tampa disability lawyer can give you more specific information about the best way to relate the facts of your case. To contact Garry Miracle for a free claim evaluation, please fill out the form on this page.