This information may help claimants with representation, as well as claimants who are not represented by an attorney or non attorney representative. Understanding how the Social Security Disability system works can make the difference between winning or not winning the continuing disability benefits and backpay to which a person is entitled. |
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Typically, social security disability hearings are fairly short and can last anywhere from fifteen minutes to an hour. And despite the fact that many ssd claimants mistakenly assume that their hearing will be similar to a court appearance, such hearings tend to be somewhat informal. In fact, claimants are usually advised to dress for their hearing as they would normally dress. And depending on how far away the claimant lives from the hearing office, the "hearing site" may actually be a conference room at a hotel or bank. In many regards, a disability hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ) is not at all dissimilar to a DDS hearing (DDS hearings apply to disability recipients whose benefits are ceased following a continuing disability review). The only visible difference between a DDS hearing and one that is conducted by the Office of Hearings and Appeals is the presence of an ALJ versus a DDS hearing officer, the presence of an attorney or non attorney representative, and possibly the presence of a medical expert and/or a vocational expert. What tips should a claimant follow on the day of their hearing? The first is simply to show up on time. ALJ's have a busy schedule and, typically, will not hear a claimant's case if they show up "too late" for their hearing. How late is too late? It will depend on the ALJ in question and how densely packed their hearing schedule is for the day. In some cases, arriving more than ten minutes late will be enough for an ALJ to refuse to hear a claimant's case. Of course, a claimant who arrives too late for their hearing can respond to a "show cause" notice and explain why they were late. Providing an acceptable reason for appearing late (traffic problems, car problems, getting lost, etc) may allow a judge to reschedule a claimant's hearing to a later date. However, regarding the issue of timeliness, a claimant should always try to arrive at a hearing location at least thirty minutes prior to the start of a hearing to get properly situated and to confer with their attorney or non attorney representative. Disability Advocates Help with Claims Free Case Evaluation |
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SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY ATTORNEY, REPRESENTATIVE LAWYER LIST ANSWERS TO YOUR SSD & SSI QUESTIONS PAGE 5 ANSWERS TO YOUR SSD & SSI QUESTIONS PAGE 6 |
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If you suffer from a medical disability such as hip, neck, shoulder, ankle, wrist, back, or other joint problems, disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, rsi or repetetive stress injury, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, dysthymia, depression or other mood disorders, congestive or chronic heart failure, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, high blood pressure (hypertension), seizure disorder, stroke, copd, emphysema, hearing loss or poor hearing, statutory blindness, peripheral field problems or other vision loss, clinical obesity, attention deficit hyperactivity or, simply, adhd, bipolar disorder or manic depression, panic disorder, schizophrenia, autism, head trauma, memory loss, low iq, mental retardation, learning disability, epilepsy, cancer, chronic fatigue, multiple sclerosis, lupus, anxiety, inner ear problems, meniere's, vertigo or dizziness, kidney failure requiring dialysis or other renal problems, cirrhosis, hepatitis, or other liver disease, pancreatitis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, rsd or reflex sympathetic dystrophy, crohn's disease, sarcoidosis, peripheral vascular disease, lyme disease, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, hiv, aids, anemia, sickle cell, thyroid problems including hypothyroidism, esrd or end stage renal disease, reflux, gerd (gastroesophageal reflux disease), cfids, muscular dystrophy, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, or tachycardia, bradycardia or other arrhythmia and have initiated or been denied on a social security disability, or ssi, claim for benefits, this site may assist you with your case. Social Security Disability benefits are often difficult to win; however many claims for social security disability are lost simply because a claimant did not know enough about the disability process to their social security or ssi claim. For information re: representation on a social security disability or ssi claim (attorney or non attorney representative), see the "questions" & "how" pages. |
| Social Security Disability How many times do you get denied before you are approved for disability ? |