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Under-The-Table Work And Your Social Security Disability Hearing

Robert Wilcox • May 11, 2023

If you have performed under-the-table work in the past, it is important to know how this can affect your disability hearing. 

What Are SSDI and SSI?

  • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) give money to people who can't work because they are sick or have a medical condition.

What Is Under-the-Table Work?

  • This is work that isn't reported on tax returns or employment records. It can make your disability hearing more complicated.

Why Is This Important?

  • When we help our clients with their social security disability hearing, we often find they have done under-the-table work.
  • It's not illegal, but it's important to understand how it can affect your disability case.

How Judges View Under-the-Table Work

  • Social Security judges look at how honest people are about their work.
  • Under-the-table work can make judges question your work history.
  • If you didn't report all your income, judges might not believe what you say about your medical problems.

Problems with Past Earnings and Work History

  • Under-the-table work makes it harder to figure out your past earnings and work history.
  • These are important for deciding if you can get disability benefits.
  • It can also make it harder to show how long and how badly your medical condition has affected you.

During the Disability Hearing

  • The judge might ask about any under-the-table work you did.
  • Be honest and upfront about it, even if it wasn't officially reported.
  • If you don't tell the truth, your disability claim might be denied.

Get Help from a Disability Attorney

  • If you have done under-the-table work, it's a good idea to work with a disability lawyer.
  • An experienced lawyer can help you through the process and make sure your work history is clear and complete.
  • They can also help you prepare for questions during your hearing and find ways to lessen any negative effects of under-the-table work on your claim.

Summary

  • Under-the-table work can affect your disability hearing by raising doubts about your work history and honesty.
  • It's important to be truthful about any past work and work with an experienced disability lawyer to present the best case.
  • At Di Lorenzo and Wilcox Law Firm, we have a lot of experience helping people with disability claims, even if their work history is complicated. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you get the disability benefits you deserve.


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