One day when I was driving on the freeway, I was completely blindsided by another car pummeling down the hill. I didn't know what to do or what went wrong, but I knew things were bad. I couldn't feel my feet at first, and my face was covered in liquid that turned out to be blood. When the ambulance arrived I could see the concern on their faces, and it was frustrating to know what was about to come. Fortunately, I was able to get great medical care, and talk with a personal injury attorney that helped me to sort out everything else. Read this website to find out how accident attorneys can help you to make a difference in your own life.
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If you have been turned down for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you are not alone. The Social Security Administration (SSA) sets high standards for those who need benefits, and many times there is not enough information in the application to make a good decision. That is why the SSA gives those who do get turned down a second chance at benefits at their appeal hearing. This hearing could be your opportunity to get the benefits you need and deserve. The role of the vocational expert at your hearing is confusing to some, so read on to find out more.
What are Vocational Experts?
The first thing to know about this is that a vocational expert (VE) should not be considered a helpful or neutral part of your appeal hearing. They work directly for the SSA and are there to provide information to the administrative law judge (ALJ) about jobs in the area and the skills needed to do them.
They are there to help the judge decide whether or not you should be able to do your past or any other job. While they have extensive training and experience in job matters, they are not privy to your private struggle with your disability.
Why Job Skills Matter
There are a number of reasons why you ended up at an SSA appeal hearing, but often it is because there was no clear connection between your medical condition and being unable to work at a job. For example, if you claim to be unable to stand long enough to work at your grocery store job, you must now prove exactly why that is so.
A vocational expert will provide the judge with a list of job skills associated with the job of a store clerk. It is up to you, however, to draw the line between your medical issues and those skills. If you have a back injury and are unable to stand or sit comfortably, that job and most other jobs will be impossible for you.
Bringing Along Legal Help
Dealing with the ALJ and vocational experts can be stressful and intimidating, but Social Security attorneys do this work all the time. At times, your attorney will need to provide the judge with more information about your medical condition and your ability to work at jobs that contradict what the vocational expert is saying.
Your attorney will also be cross-examining the VE when an issue appears to be in conflict with the facts. Having an attorney along to support you and help you explain to the ALJ why you need benefits will turn out to be one of the best decisions you could possibly make. For more information, contact a social security disability attorney.
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