Principal Attorney
Social Security disability applicants who have requested a hearing to challenge the denial or termination of benefits may feel nervous about attending the hearing. Preparing with an experienced SSD attorney can help, as a lawyer can get you ready for what to expect and what questions you may have to answer.
What to Expect at a Social Security Disability Hearing?
When you attend a Social Security Disability hearing to appeal an initial denial of your benefits claim or the termination of your benefits, you may wonder what the hearing will look and feel like. Although you may expect a setting similar to a courtroom, Social Security hearings have a much more informal format. The hearing will likely occur in a conference room-type setting, with the administrative law judge, you, your attorney, and any testifying medical or vocational experts in attendance.
During the hearing, you can expect your attorney to argue in favor of approving your SSD application or restoring your terminated benefits. Any medical or vocational experts you have brought to the hearing will also testify about your medical condition(s) and the limitations you experience. The administrative law judge may also ask questions about your condition and its effects on your daily living. The hearing allows you to provide the administrative law judge with more detail about your condition to support a determination of your eligibility for SSD benefits.
Common Questions Asked at Hearings
When the administrative law judge chooses to ask you questions at your hearing, examples of questions they may ask include:
- Questions About Daily Activities – The judge may ask about your daily routine and what activities you regularly participate in, such as exercise, sports, recreation, or home maintenance. The judge’s questions may also ask you to discuss any difficulties you regularly experience while performing daily tasks, such as physical limitations, difficulty remembering or staying focused, or early onset of fatigue.
- Questions About Medical History and Treatment – The administrative law judge may also ask you about your medical history, including when you first experienced symptoms of your condition(s), when your doctor diagnosed your condition(s), and when your condition(s) began significantly limiting your daily or work activities. The judge may also ask what treatments or rehabilitation you have undergone or currently receive for your condition(s) and whether your doctor expects your condition to improve with further treatment.
- Questions About Work History – The judge may ask about past jobs, your education and training, and whether you currently do any work.
These questions can help the administrative law judge understand the effect of your medical condition(s) on your life and ability to work, which will determine whether you should receive SSD benefits.
Tips for Answering Questions
Tips to keep in mind when answering the administrative law judge’s question at your SSD hearing include:
- Answer Honestly – Do not exaggerate or minimize your symptoms.
- Give Specifics – Providing specific examples of how your condition causes daily struggles can help the judge better understand the effects of your condition on your life.
- Avoid Technical Language – Describe your condition and its impact on you in your own words rather than using medical terminology.
- Take Your Time – You can take a moment after a question to gather your thoughts. If you don’t understand the judge’s question, you can ask them to repeat or rephrase it.
Contact Our Firm for Help with Your SSD Claim
When you request an administrative hearing to appeal the denial of your SSD benefits claim, an experienced attorney from Disability Advocates Group can help you prepare so you can best support your claim. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about what to expect during a hearing on your SSD claim.
