What to Expect at a Social Security Disability Hearing Jorgensen Law Attorneys San Diego California

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Your Social Security Disability claim was denied and now, after waiting over a year, you are getting ready to have a hearing in front of a judge. What will the court room look like? Who is going to be there? What is going to happen?

Your initial claim for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) was evaluated by a government employee who you did not meet with face to face and whose evaluation of your case was based on your medical records only. At your hearing, you will be given the opportunity to tell your story to an experienced judge. The judge will listen to your testimony and give you a fair chance at presenting your case.

What will the court room look like?
The hearing room in a Social Security case is much different than the traditional court rooms that you might have seen live or on TV. Your hearing will be held around a conference table. You will most likely be asked to sit in a specific seat across from the judge. Most people find that this small, informal setting helps them to relax and establish a dialog with the judge.

Who is going to be there?
Social Security hearings are not open to the public. The only people in your hearing will be the judge, a hearing assistant, you, your lawyer and possibly one or more expert witnesses. The hearing assistant will be recording the hearing on some type of audio recorder. The expert witnesses are there to help the judge to better understand the issues in your case. Expert witnesses are not there to help you or to hurt you. Expert witnesses come from a panel of experts selected by Social Security and may include a Vocational Expert who can describe the skill and exertion required for your line of work and/or a Medical Expert who can help the judge understand your disability.

What is going to happen?
The judge will introduce himself/herself along with the hearing assistant and the vocational and/or medical expert witnesses. He will then ask your attorney to state his/her name. The judge will then read a very brief statement setting out the issues to be heard. Your attorney will be allowed to introduce any new or updated copies of your medical records. Next, the judge will swear you in. The judge might ask your lawyer for an opening statement. The judge and or your attorney will then ask you questions and hear your testimony. After your testimony, the expert witnesses will also be asked questions by the judge and your attorney. The judge will not usually make a decision at the end of the hearing. You will get a written decision in about 4 weeks or longer.

Topics

2010 Social Security Disability Thresholds
24 month wait period for Medicare
Activities of Daily Living
Administrative Law Judge
After You Apply For Social Security Disability
Age and Disability
Appeals Council Review of Hearing Decision
Appeals Council or New Disability Application?
Back Pay Limits
Calculating Back Pay
Can Children Get Disability Benefits?
Can I Work While Applying For Disability?
Can I Work While Receiving Supplemental Security Income?
Can I get Social Security Disability if I am Partially Disabled?
Can I get a Second Disability Hearing?
Can I get my Social Security Disability benefits if I am not currently living in the US?
Can My Child Get Social Security Disability Benefits?
Can VA Approval Help an SSDI claim?
Can a Non-US Citizen Get Social Security Disability?
Can an Attorney Improve My Chances at SSDI?
Can certain disabilities get you approved automatically for SSDI?
Compassionate Allowances Initiative
Consultative Exams
Continuing Disability Review
Denied Disability Benefits, What?s Next?
Disability Attorney vs. Non-Attorney Representative
Disability Benefits Seized for Child Support
Disability Benefits for Adults Who are Disabled Before Age 22
Disability Hearing Witnesses
Disability Lawyer Fees
Disability Lawyer Fees
Disability for Young Adults
Disabled Widows Benefits
Do I Need Medical Records When Applying for Disability?
Do I Need a Lawyer?
Does Education Affect an SSDI claim?
Does Social Security Always Deny Initial Disability Applications?
Does Workers? Compensation Affect Social Security Disability Benefits?
Electronic Records Express
Eligible for SSDI and SSI
Getting Seen by the Social Security Doctors
How Alcoholism or Substance Abuse Affects Disability Benefits
How Is Social Security Financed?
How Long Does it Take to Get a Decision on a Disability Case?
How Much Does A Disability Attorney Cost ? Any Hidden Cost?
How Much Money Can I Expect From SSDI?
How Much Time Do I Have to Appeal a Denied SSDI Claim?
How Much Work do I Need to Qualify for SSDI?
How To File a Disability Appeal
How to Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits?
How to Check the Status of Your SSDI Claim
If Disability Worsens, Can Benefits Increase?
Improve Your Chances of Winning Disability
Intro to Social Security Disability - 1 of 10
Keep Your Disability Representative Updated
Know The Status of Your Disability Claim
Missing a Consultative Exam
Must Have Good Medical Records
No waiting period for SSI
Notify Social Security if you have a Change of Address
Office of the Inspector General
Reapplying for Disability
SSDI & SSI Overview
SSDI Claim Denied by Administrative Law Judge
SSDI Eligibility
SSDI and Spouse?s Income
SSI Overpayments
Selecting a Social Security Disability Attorney
Should I Appeal a Denied Claim or File a New Application?
Should I Apply For Social Security Disability?
Should I Apply for Social Security Disability Online or In Person?
Should I apply for Social Security Disability or SSI?
Social Security Disability : Can I Afford an Attorney
Social Security Disability : Talk to your Doctor
Social Security Disability Appointment Letters
Social SecurityDisability Fraud
Social Security Disability Hearing Decisions
Social Security Disability List of Impairments
Social Security Disability and Back Pain
Social Security Disability and Bipolar Disorder
Social Security Disability and Depression
Social Security Disability and Lupus
Social Security Disability and Lyme Disease
Social Security Disability and Mental Illness
Social Security Disability and Vision Loss
Social Security Disability and a Stroke
Social Security Disability with Asthma
Social Security Disability with Fibromyalgia
Social Security Disability: Do I Really Need an Attorney?
Substantial Gainful Activity
Ticket to Work Program
Understanding Your Doctor?s Role in Winning a Disability Claim
What Information Do I Need When Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits?
What happens after I file a hearing request?
What is ODAR?
What is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?
What is a Medical Vocational Allowance?
What is a Trial Work Period?
What is an RFC form?
What is the 5 Month SSDI Waiting Period?
What to Bring to a Disability Hearing
What to Expect at a Social Security Disability Hearing
When Should I File for Social Security Disability
Where Are Disability Hearings Held?
Who Decides if I am Disabled?
Who is the DDS Examiner?
Who is the DDS and what do they do?
Why Disability Applications Get Denied
Why Disability Hearings Include a Vocational Expert and Medical Expert
Why Does a Social Security Disability Decision Take So Long?
Why Should I Hire A Disability Attorney?
Will My Social Security Disability Benefits Ever Be Taken Away?
Will eligibility for SSDI be affected by home ownership or savings in the bank?

Recent Updates

November 25, 2008
Part 3 of 10

November 17, 2008
2 of 10 (November 17, 2008)

October 13, 2008
SSDI vs. SSI: What's Best for Me?

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