Disability Hearing Witnesses

There is no guarantee that the administrative law judge will allow your witness to testify or provide input.

Don, in Oceanside, California, asks “Can I bring a witness to my disability hearing?”

Yes. You can bring a witness to your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) hearing. However, there is no guarantee that the administrative law judge will allow your witness to testify or provide input. This is entirely up to the judge.

The judge at your hearing will be making a decision regarding your disability mostly on the basis of your medical records and hearing your testimony. Having your own witness at your hearing is probably not going to help you.

On many occasions, the administrative law judge will decide that a medical expert, vocational expert, or both, are needed at a disability hearing.

These expert witnesses are contracted by the hearing office to attend a hearing and provide testimony. These witnesses are not there to help you or to hurt you.

Vocational experts will provide input as to what jobs might be available based on your education, work experience, and, your disability.

Medical experts provide input mainly regarding your medical records. Judges are not Medical Doctors and will sometimes need input from a medical expert to help him/her understand details in your medical records.

Don’t make the mistake of attending a disability hearing without professional representation. Disability lawyers have a great understanding of the rules and laws that regulate SSDI and SSI. Being represented at your disability hearing by an experienced representative will greatly increase your chances of winning your disability claim. Click here for a disability attorney in the San Diego, Los Angeles and Riverside area, serving all of Southern California.