How To Prepare For Your Social Security Disability Hearing

Getting denied SSDI benefits can be frustrating, but you’re certainly not alone. The SSA rejects a whopping 63% of SSDI applications each year. If you still want to claim your benefits, you must file an appeal and attend a hearing. This final hearing is a crucial step in the appeals process, so knowing how to prepare for it can make a significant difference in your case’s outcome. 

How Do Social Security Disability Hearings Work?

Before you prepare for your next hearing, it’s essential to understand what to expect. Hearings are presided over by an administrative law judge (ALJ). The judge looks into your case’s details and will give you and your witnesses a chance to explain everything further. During the hearing, you can also expect them to ask you questions about your daily activities to understand your limitations and how they affect your ability to work.

4 Tips To Preparing For Your Disability Hearing

A disability hearing is one of the few opportunities applicants have to talk directly with someone in charge of their claim, so you must be well-prepared. Here are a few things you can do to ensure your hearing goes well:

Review Your Claim’s Details 

Before your hearing, reviewing your case’s details will help you see why your application was rejected initially. This way, you can provide the necessary information to avoid the same issue during the hearing. The SSA also lets applicants request a copy of their case file, so take advantage of this to find any information you can use to strengthen your claim further.

Answer The Questions Truthfully

The judge will ask you many detailed questions during the hearing. Most focus on an applicant’s personal information, work history, activity limitations, medical records, or anything else that would help them better understand your case. The more honest and detailed you are with your answers, the better your chances are of a favorable outcome.

Have Recent Medical Records

Updated medical records documenting your medical condition are one of the important pieces of evidence for your case. Judges will thoroughly review your medical details, so make sure to  have everything updated before your hearing. These records can include doctor’s notes, test results, or treatments related to your disability.

Have A Witness Testify About Your Condition

Witnesses can give the judge an additional perspective on how your disability impacts your daily life. Ask your family members, close friends, or anyone else who understands your condition’s details to submit a personal statement as evidence. Your doctor could also testify and discuss your disability. Since primary physicians are considered medical experts familiar with the applicant’s case, their opinion carries considerable weight during a hearing.

Our Attorneys Will Help You Prepare 

Preparing yourself for a hearing can take a lot of work if you do it alone. Our experienced social security disability lawyers will help you gather all the evidence you need to win your disability hearing and receive your benefits. Please contact us online or call us at 855-338-1207 if you have any questions or want to schedule a free consultation today.