August 22, 2008 by Dirk.

The Vocational Expert is usually not your friend at the Social Security hearing. 

The Vocational Expert’s job is to find jobs that fit the restrictions the Administrative Law Judge provides  to her.

Usually if jobs are found, you will be found not disabled. 

You need to show the jobs cannot be done according to your medical records, or that only a very few jobs exist. 

The main way to do this is to show the Dictionary of Occupational Titles ( a government publication) provides certain requirements for jobs such as frequency of use of hands, standing, walking, lifting. It also shows certain skills levels are needed, as well as reasoning requirements.  

You must show that your medical condition results in limitations that knock out these jobs. 

Social Security does not deal in the real world, so the fact that there may not be many job openings for the jobs cited does not concern them at all. 

The Vocational testimony is so important, and at times complicated, that it is necessary to discuss it with an attorney. 

Please contact me, Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371, if you have any questions. 

Posted in bloomington illinois social security attorney, bloomington illinois social security lawyer, jobs, social security disability | No Comments »

July 11, 2008 by Dirk.

It is certainly easier for Social Security to find you disabled if you are 50 years or older, but you can be considered disabled if you are under 50 years of age. First, you have to prove you can no longer work the jobs you performed over the last 15 years.Then you have to prove you cannot do any other type of work.This is the difficult part because most people can do some type of sit down work.Social Security does not consider whether you can actually get the jobs they list, or whether anyone is really hiring.The only question is whether based on your limitations you can actually do the job.If you are under 50 years of age and wonder if you may be disabled according to Social Security please call Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371. 

Posted in bloomington illinois social security attorney, jobs, social security disability, medical | No Comments »

May 16, 2008 by Dirk.

Social Security Disability is based on the inability to work.   

The Administrative Law Judge must decide whether you can perform your former jobs, over the last 15 years. And if you cannot, whether you can perform any job. If you are 50 years of age or older, this requirement changes somewhat.  

Social Security does not have to provide you a job, or show that there are real job openings in your area. Instead they will ask a Vocational Expert at your hearing, what kind of jobs are available for persons with  certain limitations (such as lifting, standing or walking), and how many jobs exist in the area.Usually, if the Vocational Expert finds a job within your limitations then you are not disabled. The question is whether  you can prove you have limitations that eliminate the jobs the expert finds for you. If you can do this, then you are disabled. 

Posted in jobs, social security disability, Blogs | No Comments »