Helpful tips / 07/04/2019

What are the chances of winning a disability hearing?

Your odds of winning at a disability hearing before a judge are about 50%. If you have a lawyer with you, however, your odds increase to 62%, making your claim statistically more likely to be approved than be rejected.

What can I expect at a disability hearing?

During the disability hearing, after you get sworn in the judge will ask you some questions regarding your employment history, as well as the limitations of your disability. Then the judge will ask the vocational expert hypothetical questions about what jobs someone with your limitations could do.

What questions are asked at a disability hearing?

Questions You Should Expect To Be Asked During A Social Security Disability Hearing

What is your formal education?
Do you have any vocational training?
Are you currently working?
What was your last job and what were your job responsibilities?
Have you tried working since you became disabled?

What can you not say at a Social Security hearing?

Making Statements That Can Hurt Your Case Here are a couple general areas or statements to avoid unless you are specifically questioned about them. You have family members who are receiving disability or unemployment benefits. You have a criminal history. You have problems with drugs or alcohol.

What should you not say in a disability interview?

The following five statements should never be announced at your disability hearing.

“I can’t work because no one will hire me.”
“I don’t know why I’m here.
“I don’t do chores because my significant other, friend or family member does them.”
“I have never used drugs or alcohol in my life.”

Do you have to pass a drug test for disability?

Although the Social Security Administration (SSA) has no drug testing policy for disability benefits, drug or alcohol use or abuse can certainly affect your mental or physical impairment as well as your disability claim. In some instances, use or abuse of controlled or illegal substances…

How long does it take for a disability hearing in Texas?

Individual hearing offices have both higher and lower rates of approval, ranging from 31.8 percent to 52.2 percent. Processing times for disability hearings in Texas will vary from 174 days to 325 days. The state-wide average for processing times; however, is 265 days.

How are drug tests done in Texas Court?

Texas courts use tests that evaluate body fluids or dead cells for drugs or related chemicals. The following types of drug tests may be used: Saliva – The subject’s spit may be analyzed for drugs or related chemicals. These are typically accurate because they are hard to tamper with and there is a short detection period.

How do you get disability benefits in Texas?

Due to a variety of factors, the majority of claimants will not meet the qualifications for disability benefits until one or more appeals have been filed. And in most cases, winning disability benefits will require pursuing a claim to the second appeal level, the request for hearing before an administrative law judge.

Do you have to take a drug test in Texas?

Texas legislation does not address drug testing in private employment. This means that employers are free to require or ask employees and applicants to take a drug test, as long as they don’t run afoul of other legal protections.

When does a court order a drug test in Houston?

In Houston child custody cases, the court acts in the best interests of the child. That means the court must determine whether each parent is fit to care for their children. If a parent is accused of drug abuse, or has a history of drug abuse, the court will order a drug test.

Is it illegal to use alcohol and drugs while on disability?

No matter how the SSA views drug or alcohol use however, spending your limited disability payments on drugs or alcohol isn’t just impractical. It may be illegal too. It therefore not only puts you at risk for losing your disability benefits, but may also make you criminally liable.