Family and friends can testify at your Social Security disability hearing
At the first stage of the evaluation of your Social Security disability claim the evaluation is based only on the written file, which consists of your application and medical records. Therefore, at that point you are not allowed either to appear in person before the disability examiner or provide testimony from helpful non-medical witnesses.
However, the procedure is very different at the point when your claim has been denied and is appealed to an Administrative Law Judge. This time you will be able to talk to the person who will make the decision, and you can bring witnesses who can testify on your behalf.
Select good witnesses to describe your disability to the Social Security judge
You will want to choose witnesses who are able to explain to the judge the difference between what you were able to do in the past and what you are able to do now.
When you select witnesses, consider co-workers, relatives, and anyone else who might be able to see how your disability limits you.
Think about finding different witnesses who can talk about different things so that they can describe different ways that you are limited by your disability rather than all describing the same thing.
Good witnesses are very specific, providing a story about how you used to be able to do a certain thing, but now you can’t do that anymore. This allows them to demonstrate that your condition has changed and that you no longer are able to work.
We can help with your Social Security disability claim
To prepare you for an appeal hearing with the Social Security Administration you will want the help of a knowledgeable disability attorney who can work with both you and your witnesses.
If you are not already represented by a Georgia Social Security disability representative and want our evaluation of your case, give us a brief description of your claim using the form to the right. Or you may e-mail or call our office.
Atlanta Disability Attorneys
Georgia Social Security Disability Lawyers
