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What Happens at a Social Security Disability Hearing?
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...
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The Social Security Disability Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
Administrative Law Judges (or ALJ's, for short) are appointed by, and work for, the federal government, delivering rulings in many areas of statutory law.
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The Importance of Vocational Expert Testimony at a Disability Hearing
A vocational expert (VE) is an "expert witness" called by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to testify at your disability appeal hearing. A VE knows about job availability in the current labor market and the skills needed to perform certain jobs.
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What Is the Average Wait Time for a Disability Hearing?
Find out the current average wait time for an appeal hearing in your area.
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How to Request a Social Security Disability Appeal Hearing
Learn how to get your Social Security Disability case in front of a judge, where you'll have the best chance at winning benefits.
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How to Answer Questions at a Social Security Disability Hearing
How should you answer the judge's questions at a disability hearing, and how many questions can you expect to be asked? Sometimes the ALJ will not ask the disability claimant any questions; at other times the ALJ will ask you several questions.
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Preparing for a Social Security Disability Hearing
When you get notice of your hearing date, get up-to-date medical records and submit them.
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What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning at a Disability Hearing?
Social Security disability hearings can be stressful because you have waited so long for a judge to hear your case, and you don't know whether you will win or lose your claim for disability benefits (SSD or SSI).
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Can Letters From Family and Friends Help My Disability Case at a Hearing?
Applicants for Social Security disability often ask friends and family to write letters in support of their disability case. While the administrative law judge (ALJ) who presides over the hearing often disregards these letters, sometimes well-crafted letters can help win your claim.
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Proving You Can't Do Your Past Work at a Disability Hearing
If you were denied disability benefits because Social Security found that you could do your prior job, you'll have to appeal to get a hearing in front of a judge.
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Ruling Out Other Work at Your Disability Hearing Because You Don't Have the Job Skills
If your disability claim is denied because Social Security says there is "other work" you can do (rather than your past work), you'll need to request an appeal hearing.