Monday, December 9, 2019

WHAT SOCIAL SECURITY ALWAYS KNOWS ABOUT YOU

When you attend a Social Security hearing, there is a lot of information they already know about you.  For example:

Your Past Wages:  Just before the hearing, the judge will order a wage query that explains all of your past earnings--from the time of your first job--right up until the day you quit work.  If you worked a part-time job after you applied for disability, this will also show up.

The Kind of Work You Did in the Past:  The judge will be able to see each of your past jobs, the employer's names, addresses, and a detail of your wages.  

Unemployment Benefits:  A check will be made with the state to see whether you received unemployment benefits, and if so--when, how long and how much.  

Other Income:  If you received pay for sick leave or vacation time or cashed out a 401K, it will show up on your earnings history and must be explained.

Each of Your Medical Records:  Medical records show more than you may think.  In addition to your medical complaints, treatment and symptoms, your doctors' records may show such things as:

  • Whether you smoke and how much
  • Where you work
  • Whether you drink and how much
  • Trips or vacations you have taken
  • Whether you gamble or not
  • Your height and weight
  • Any illicit or illegal drug or alcohol abuse
  • Over use or abuse of prescription medications
  • Failure to comply with treatment
  • Personal or family problems you mentioned to your doctor
  • Whether you have a valid driver's license
  • Sick leave days or personal leave you have taken
  • Who you live with
  • Anything else your doctor knows about you
With this wealth of information, Social Security judges know a great deal about you before your hearing begins.  Therefore, it is foolhardy to misrepresent anything. 
 
Keep in mind:  Your doctor may put anything you tell him/her in your medical chart.  It becomes part of your medical record.  For example, you say to your doctor:  "My back hurts because I helped a friend put a new roof on his barn last week."  You wouldn't think that becomes part of the medical record, but it may.  

___________________

The Forsythe Firm

7207 Old Madison Pike NW, Suite 108, Huntsville, AL 35806

"Across from Bridge Street

CALL US  (256) 799-0297

Email Us:  forsythefirm@gmail.com

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