If you have a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge and need someone to help argue your case at the hearing, let our experienced legal team represent you. Whether your hearing is one day or 2 years away, we will take the necessary steps to ensure you receive your best chance of success.
If your application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is denied, then you have 60 days to file a reconsideration appeal. If your appeal for reconsideration is denied, then you have another 60 days to file an appeal requesting a hearing in person before an Administrative Law Judge.
A Social Security Disability hearing is where you will have the best chance or winning your disability claim. If you are represented by a disability attorney (or non-attorney representative) your chance of being awarded benefits is higher than if you attend this hearing without professional representation.
Your initial application and first appeal for SSDI or 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 at the hearing?
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.
How should I dress?
Even though your hearing will be less formal than a traditional state or federal hearing, the way you dress should reflect your respect for the court room. You should avoid wearing shorts, blue jeans, t-shirts and tank tops. However, if you get all dressed up in your best business suit, the judge might think you look like you are ready to go back to work. For men, a clean pair of khaki or dark colored pants and a button-up shirt, or polo shirt is appropriate. For women, a simple dress or casual suit is fine. You want to be comfortable, but remember that you are in court.
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.
Contact Jorgensen Law
To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Social Security Disability Attorney, or If you have any questions about your Social Security Disability hearing, contact us at Jorgensen Law.
To contact our San Diego, Los Angeles or Riverside, California law office for a free consultation, call 866.587.9176, or contact us by e-mail.
With locations in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Riverside, we represent clients throughout the state of California. Our LA office services the following Southern California cities: Los Angeles County, Orange County, Alhambra, Anaheim, Bellflower, Burbank, Buena Park, Corona, Downey, Huntington Beach, Glendale, Irvine, Inglewood, Lancaster, Long Beach, Lynwood, Norwalk, Palmdale, Pasadena, Pomona, Santa Clarita, Torrance, West Covina, Whittier, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Newport Beach, and Santa Ana.
