How to Prepare for Your ALJ Judge Hearing
The work you do before your ALJ hearing is often more important than what happens during the hearing itself
When you have a disability hearing coming up, do all of this to get ready:
- Fill out the required forms from Social Security
- Send any new records from your medical treatment, such as doctor’s reports and test results
- File pre-hearing briefs updating Social Security on your health and employment status
- Build legal arguments for why you should get disability benefits
- Meet with your disability lawyer to understand how the hearing will work, where you should go, what you should wear, how to talk to the judge and more
- Plan with your lawyer how you’ll answer likely questions from the judge, such as what duties your past jobs involved and how your health problems have changed your daily routines
- Think about what medical experts and workforce experts might say about you in the hearing
Prepare for your hearing as soon as you know when it will be, to give your disability attorney time to build your case—and give yourself time to build your confidence.
Your lawyer can help you collect statements from witnesses about how your health problems limit your activities. They can also conduct cross-examination of the medical and vocational experts at your hearing, who may say you aren’t ailing enough to stop working and need benefits.
Start now by getting a FREE case evaluation from the Oklahoma Social Security Disability lawyers at Troutman & Troutman.
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What to Expect During Your Social Security Disability Hearing
A Social Security Disability hearing isn’t like trials you might see on TV. It’s much more low-key.
Sometimes hearings can take place over telephone or video calls. This is what happens if you go to your ALJ hearing in person:
- Only a few people are likely to be in the room, no jury or audience.
- You won’t face another lawyer whose job is to oppose you.
- The hearing will start with the judge and your lawyer going over details of the process.
- You will speak to the judge, answering their questions about your medical conditions and ability to work.
- Medical or vocational experts may give their testimony about your impairments and whether there are any jobs you could do.
- It’ll probably be short—often less than an hour.
You may get the ALJ’s decision at the end of the hearing, or they might send you a notice of their decision later.
If they approve your claim, your benefits will start soon. If they deny your benefits again, you can appeal to higher levels.
Having a lawyer by your side in your hearing, possibly one who’s been to hundreds of disability hearings, gives you reassurance that your rights will be protected and your needs will be heard.
The best moments for the disability lawyers at Troutman & Troutman are when our clients finally get the news that they’ve won Social Security Disability benefits, and they can breathe easier and feel hopeful again.
The timeframe for appealing can be months—or even years, if you have to appeal your case to the highest levels.
It’s often better to appeal than to file a new application, though, because your original application date was earlier, and you could get more back pay as a result.
You’re already overwhelmed by health problems and money worries. This process is a lot to take on. So get a skilled disability lawyer to take it on for you—and rest easier.
You pay no lawyer fee unless you win benefits and reach a better situation.
Contact Us Today! »Wherever You Are in the Disability Benefits Process, We Can Help
You may be trying to determine if Social Security Disability benefits are right for you. You may be facing a long, complicated benefits application. Or maybe you’ve applied and been denied. Now what? The Troutman & Troutman Oklahoma disability attorneys can help.
Disability Attorneys Answer Your Questions about Social Security
Your life has been disrupted by health problems. You’ve had to leave work. You’re worried about money. Social Security Disability benefits can provide relief, but they’re complicated. You’ve got a lot of questions. The Troutman & Troutman Tulsa disability lawyers have answers.
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