13 Things to Expect at Your Disability Hearing

1. Dress like you normally dress. Do not be excessive. This is SSA’s look at a typical day in your life.

2. Bring a photo ID.

3. Get to the hearing office early. Allow for traffic and other unforeseen mishaps.

4. You will go through a security check with a metal detector. Leave any keychain pocket knives, cigarette lighters and, of course, weapons, at home.

5. You will sit in a waiting room until the judge is ready to begin.

6. The judge will have his court reporter, called a hearing monitor, come out to get you.

7. You will go to a private hearing room, often set up like a mini courtroom. The hearing is recorded (voices only; no video recording) by the hearing monitor. There is a microphone that does not make your voice louder, it is only used for the recording.

8. The judge will start by saying a procedural introductory paragraph.

9. The judge will ask you to state your name and other identifying information during the procedural opening.

10. After the procedural opening, the judge will ask you about the type of work you did in the past five years.

11. You will have a chance to talk about your daily activities, so the judge understands how your health and symptoms are impacting your function and your stamina, mental and physical.

12. After your testimony, the judge will call a labor market expert, called a vocational expert, to ask them questions and get feedback on how different limitations could hypothetically affect someone your age, without specifically trying to find work for you.

13. The hearing ends without a decision.

The decision comes in the mail after the judge has a chance to go back, review the file, and make a decision, and a decision writer is able to finalize the decision in writing so that it can be mailed. It could take a week, it could take many months. It just depends on their backlog.

If you are finally at the hearing level, this is your last chance for a fresh review of your application. The next appeal is only available if the judge made a substantial error. I recommend finding an experienced Social Security disability attorney to help you prepare your case. If you want an attorney and do not have one in mind, call us at 1-866-425-5347. We represent North Carolina residents in their claims for Social Security disability.