Indianapolis disability attorney Scott Lewis often lets his Social Security disability clients know how important it is to be honest at your Indiana Social Security disability appeal hearing. You have waited two years to get a hearing and now you are in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) for your day in court to try to secure Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. You have worked hard your entire life and accumulated enough work credits to be entitled to your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, or you are simply disabled and have not worked enough but are still entitled to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The ALJ starts his questioning and you are surprised they are a little more in depth about personal issues in your life and now you find yourself squirming in your chair and wondering why in the world the ALJ is interested in these topics.
Indianapolis disability lawyer Scott D. Lewis has seen the above scenario on numerous occasions, and at times, squirms in his chair awaiting an answer to be uttered by his apprehensive client. The truth is many Administrative Law Judges already know the answer to the question they are asking. They are simply seeing if the Indiana Social Security disability claimant will tell the truth. Clients may be surprised to find when they go to their physician many times he/she is writing down things that an individual might not believe have much to do with their physical or mental disability. Maybe that you did some very light yard work, went out with friends for a beer, watch your grandchildren occasionally, smoke cigarettes, and many other topics you may regard as meaningless when it comes to a disabling condition. For example, if you tell the Administrative Law Judge you do not smoke cigarettes, and the medical record states you do, the ALJ might decide not to believe another word you say. It’s that simple. He or she may look at you as an untruthful person and find any further testimony as not being credible.
While it may seem like common sense to be truthful in this situation, and we all know mom and dad told us not to tell lies, when you are sitting in front of the Judge and you want him to think you are a good person and some individuals bend the truth a bit. Indianapolis Social Security Attorney Scott D. Lewis tries to let all of his clients know that telling the truth is the best policy. Most Indiana Administrative Law Judges hear hundreds of cases every year and conduct hearings in a particular way. One way some Judges determine cases that are borderline may be based on credibility. In these particular cases it may be in your best interest to tell the truth, regardless of how embarrassing it may be.
In the end, it is the Indiana Social Security disability claimants call. Indianapolis disability lawyer Scott Lewis tries to let claimants know what may happen at a Social Security hearing, but he cannot testify for his clients. If you have questions regarding what is going to transpire at your upcoming Indiana Social Security hearing contact Mr. Lewis for a free consultation. Indianapolis Social Security attorney Scott D. Lewis handles disability claims involving scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, depression, asthma, COPD, Crohn’s disease, and many other severe impairments.
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