Once you receive a hearing date, it’s important to begin preparing immediately.
Working with an experienced representative who is familiar with the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) process helps you prepare your case and get ready to go in front of a judge.
The Advocator Group has helped over 150,000 clients receive SSDI benefits and can provide you with an experienced local attorney.
Get RepresentationYour Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing will be the most critical stage of your application process to date. There are a lot of moving pieces that can sometimes be a bit overwhelming—but we can help.
How to prepare for a SSDI hearing?
It takes quite a while for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to schedule hearings, but once this occurs and you receive your notice of hearing, things move quickly. Updated records need to be requested from medical providers and any outstanding documentation must be gathered, including financial statements and work history.
Learn moreIt’s common for many questions to be asked during a disability hearing, as the evaluation process is extremely thorough. This provides you with a valuable opportunity to justify your case for benefits in your own words. Planning and practicing what you will say to the judge is a critical part of your hearing preparations. SSDI approval is only granted if the judge finds that your disability keeps you from returning to your previous job and learning or adapting to a new type of work, taking into consideration your age, education, and work history.
Working with professionals like The Advocator Group who specialize in the nuances and regulations of the SSDI hearing process is extremely valuable at this stage. We have gone through this process many times before and understand how to thoroughly prepare for your hearing and help you to feel at ease about what to expect.
What happens at a SSDI hearing?
Until further notice all Social Security Disability hearings will be held by telephone. The attorney assigned to your hearing will be on the call with you to ensure your hearing goes smoothly.
Hearing proceedings typically last between 30 to 60 minutes. You can expect Administrative Law Judge to take testimony from you and likely a vocational expert. The judge may take testimony from a medical expert in some instances. The judge will also allow your attorney to make statements about your claim.
Learn moreThe judge will use the information in your SSDI file to ask you questions about your daily activities. This is your opportunity to explain how your disability impacts you on a daily basis. Your testimony helps to inform the judge’s decision to award or deny the claim.
Work history is also a key topic at SSDI hearings. The judge will inquire about your past job duties, the physical or mental requirements to perform the job, and the resulting impact on your ability to perform job duties with the existence of any medical impairments. There will likely also be a vocational expert present to answer questions from the judge about certain occupations and how certain limitations would impact the ability to work.
Working with an experienced SSDI representative increases your chances of success at the hearing because you’ll be educated and guided through what critical information needs to be presented during hearing proceedings.
Why should I work with an experienced representative?
Many people feel anxiety over “going to court” and not knowing what to expect. Working with an experienced representative and a disability attorney who are familiar with hearing offices and judges nationwide allows you to ask questions and set expectations about interacting with the judge and the hearing environment ahead of time.
Learn moreHaving professional representation with you at your hearing will allow you to focus on your own testimony so you can thoroughly explain your limitations to the judge. Your attorney will support you during your testimony and make sure all relevant evidence is presented.
Attending your hearing with an experienced attorney also provides you with peace of mind, knowing that you were as prepared as possible.