When you attend your SSDI hearing in the state of Washington, an administrative law judge will evaluate your credibility. And this part of your hearing can have a significant impact on whether or not you are approved for SSDI. So, to better understand what this process entails and how you can prepare beforehand, it’s strongly recommended that you work with an SSDI lawyer in Washington. Keep reading to find out what an administrative law judge does for SSDI claims in Washington and the common credibility mistakes applicants make.
The Role of the Administrative Law Judge
When you attend your SSDI hearing in Washington, one individual who will be present is an ALJ, or administrative law judge. The ALJ is an attorney picked out and employed by the Social Security administration to decide on the outcome of your case.
The ALJ will have already reviewed your case before the hearing and will direct the entire hearing process. This includes explaining the hearing procedures before you are placed under oath. The ALJ will then question you about the details of your case to establish credibility and to make sure all of the information you provide is in line with the information you provided in your application.
What Factors Does an ALJ Consider?
The administrative law judge can make or break your SSDI case by either approving or declining it. The ALJ is responsible for determining whether you qualify for SSDI and whether the information you have provided is accurate and reliable.
Here are some of the main factors the ALJ will consider when looking at your case and SSDI evidence:
- Medical treatment history.
- Compliance with recommended health care.
- Work history before and after becoming disabled.
- Consistency in the information provided in your testimony and medical records.
- Your daily activity compared to your claim limitations.
- Any statements made in previous disability applications or medical records.
- Opinions and notes from specialists, consultative examiners, and physicians.
Common Credibility Issues That Can Hurt an SSDI Claim
Because the ALJ will look at so many SSDI credibility factors, there is a lot of room for error. That is why some of the most common Social Security disability hearing issues are the result of your credibility being called into question. Some examples of this include:
- Your testimony and medical records don’t line up.
- Your social media activity conflicts with your reported limitations.
- You have continued to perform substantial work activities even after becoming disabled.
- You haven’t followed the recommended medical treatment.
- You have unexplained gaps in your medical treatment.
To avoid running into these credibility issues, you need to work with a disability hearing lawyer in Washington. A lawyer can help you prepare for your SSDI hearing so that all of the information you provide is consistent. They can also help you provide explanations for things that could look suspicious to the ALJ.
Get Started With a Top Spokane SSDI Attorney Today
To improve your chances of being approved for SSDI in Washington when you go before the administrative law judge, you need to prepare beforehand with the help of a Washington disability attorney. At Schott Law, our Spokane SSDI attorneys are committed to helping our clients during their SSDI claim so that they get access to the benefits that they need. Contact our Washington office today at 509-328-5789 to speak with a lawyer about your claim.
