Answering what happens at your Social Security Disability hearing isn’t a simple question. Every case is different.
However, most cases will follow a similar procedure. The following people will be in the hearing room: you, your lawyer, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), a vocational expert and a hearing monitor. The hearing monitor will take notes for the judge and make sure a good sound recording is made. The vocational expert will describe your past work to the judge using terms that are meaningful under the Social Security law, and tell the judge about a number of easy jobs that exist in the nation’s economy.
You will give sworn testimony. Usually, the judge will ask most of the questions. With some judges, the lawyer will ask most of the questions. It is even possible, though not likely, that your lawyer won’t ask any questions. You will be asked some background information, about your educational background, and about the work you have done during the last 15 years. Then the heart of the hearing: what are your medical problems and how do those problems affect you?
Your lawyer will prepare you in advance of the hearing for the kind of questions you will be asked, and will give you advice about some of the specific things you can expect. Your lawyer will also go over any problem areas or difficulties in your case with you.
With a Levine Benjamin attorney, you’ll go into your hearing with a good idea of what the hearing will be like so you’ll have a better likelihood of answering questions properly and correctly. As a result, you’ll have a greater chance of winning your case.
If you have a disability hearing scheduled, call us right away. One of our disability attorneys can help make a difference at your hearing.
