Indianapolis Social Security Lawyer Scott D. Lewis often finds it helpful to write a hearing brief in preparation for an upcoming Indiana Social Security disability hearing. A hearing brief can serve as a theory of the case and provide a framework for how your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) case may be argued. Attorney Scott Lewis believes there are many advantages to submitting a brief before a hearing, and these may include:
- A concise explanation of how the claimant meets or equals the criteria for disability.
- Citations to medical records of importance and citations to Medical Provider Questionnaires and Physical/Mental Functional Residual Capacity Assessments if they are contained in the file.
- The brief can help the attorney or representative prepare for the hearing and make him/her aware of positive and/or negative aspects of the claim.
- Some Administrative Law Judges ask for a brief to be submitted.
- Set the attorney/representative apart from those individuals who do not submit a brief.
- Make it easier for the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to render a favorable decision There are usually numerous medical documents in a claimant’s file; therefore, Indiana disability lawyer Scott Lewis believes it makes sense to point the Judge in the correct direction and hope he/she agrees with your summary of the case.
The above are just a few reasons a hearing brief may be beneficial in being awarded Social Security disability benefits. It should be noted all Administrative Law Judges handle Social Security cases differently and the submission of a hearing brief may not have an impact on your Indiana Social Security disability claim. It has been the experience of Indianapolis Social Security disability attorney Scott D. Lewis that a well written brief can help him in the formulation of a well thought out consistent theory of your Social Security disability claim. Indianapolis disability attorney Scott Lewis on many occasions has had an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) thank him for enclosing a hearing brief in the exhibit list.
