Last week, the Social Security Administration (SSA) was expected to begin disclosing the names of the Administrative Law Judges (ALJ) scheduled to oversee applicant Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) appeal cases.
Last year, the SSA began the practice of not informing SSDI applicants about the ALJ assigned to their appeal before a hearing. The change back to naming the ALJ was scheduled to take place on April 20.
This is good news for applicants and SSDI attorneys. Knowing the intricacies of a judge’s thinking or the way they conduct a hearing is important during the appeals process. ALJs have various ways they like to conduct hearings, including ways they request pre-hearing documentation.
Nearly 850,000 people filed a disability claim appeal for a hearing during fiscal year 2012 after being denied during an initial application. The SSDI application process has five levels: application, reconsideration, hearing, appeals council and federal court. During the hearing process, a person meets before an ALJ, who reviews evidence and determines eligibility. At the hearing stage, about 58 percent of appeals are awarded to applicants.
If you have questions about disability benefits or the appeals process, do not hesitate to contact our Tulsa Social Security Disability lawyers for a free evaluation of your case. You may also reach us by phone at (918) 265-1404.
Troutman & Troutman, P.C. – Tulsa Social Security Disability attorneys
Troutman Touts: If an ALJ denies an appeal claim, you have 60 days to file a second appeal and request a review before an appeals council.
