Social Security Disability
Disability Hearing
A Social Security disability hearing can feel unfamiliar when so much depends on explaining your health and your ability to work. Our disability lawyers at Stansberry Kinsley help people across Alabama understand the hearing and prepare for the questions ahead.
When does the evidence need to be ready?
Hearing evidence generally must be submitted or identified at least five business days before the hearing. Exceptions can apply. If a medical record is missing, tell us early so its status and the hearing’s requirements can be reviewed.
Start with your most recent notice and where your claim stands. You do not need every record before asking for a case review.
Your situation
What to understand first.
What happens at the hearing?
An administrative law judge reviews the issues in your claim and asks questions about the evidence. You may be asked about your health, work and daily activities. The judge may also hear from witnesses or experts and will issue a written decision.
Understanding what the judge needs to consider can make preparation more focused and the hearing less unfamiliar.
What to keep
Start with the information you have.
Keep available records together. This is a starting list, not a requirement to gather everything before getting in touch.
What will preparation involve?
Preparation brings together the medical evidence, your work history and your account of daily life. We can review the issues in your claim and help you understand how to describe the tasks you can and cannot manage.
You can speak in your own words. Examples of an ordinary day—how long you can sit, whether you need help, or what happens when you try to finish a task—can make your experience easier to understand.
What if I have questions about attending?
Keep the hearing notice and its instructions. Tell us about any difficulty with travel, communication or participating in the hearing, as well as any change in your health. We can discuss those concerns while reviewing the arrangements in your notice.
Ask about timing early.
Social Security notices state the dates that apply to you, and some requests have short windows. Keep the notice and its envelope, note when it arrived, and ask for a prompt review of the dates in your notice.
The next step
What happens next.
A case review is a place to begin understanding the questions your claim raises.
Tell us where your claim stands.
Start with the program named in your paperwork, the stage your claim has reached, and the questions you want answered.
Review the available information.
Discuss your notices, the medical and work information already supplied, and anything Social Security has asked for.
Understand the next step.
Ask what further information may be needed and which next steps may be appropriate for your circumstances.
What will it cost?
In Social Security disability cases, the fee an attorney may charge is limited by federal law and must be approved by the Social Security Administration. We’ll explain the proposed fee and any case expenses in a written agreement before you decide whether to hire us.
Talk with us
Bring your hearing notice and the questions you want to ask. Request a Free Case Review or call 844-327-5529.
Related reading: Denied Benefits and Appeals · Social Security Disability Appeals Timeline · Preparing for Your Social Security Disability Hearing.
You can start with the questions you have.