Disability Hearings

You may request a social security disability administrative law judge hearing if you disagree with the reconsideration hearing by writing to the SSA or online by filling out this social security disability appeal form. You or your representative must request for a hearing no later than 60 days after you receive the notice of the reconsideration determination.

The judge who conducts the hearing will have had no part in your case’s original decision or reconsideration. At the hearing, the administrative law judge will question you and your witnesses. Medical or vocational experts may also act as witnesses on your behalf at the hearing and be questioned by the administrative law judge.

In March 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SSA closed Social Security hearing offices to the public for in-person service. However, in the fall of 2020, the SSA introduced a new hearing option in the form of online video hearings using Microsoft Teams. You can attend your hearing from any private place with a secure Internet connection using a phone, tablet, or computer.

After the hearing, based on all the information in your case, the judge will render a decision. The SSA will send you a copy of the judge’s decision and a letter. Fortunately, your chances of prevailing at the hearing level are higher than at the reconsideration level. At this level, nationally, forty-seven percent of all disability claimants win at the hearing level.

However, research demonstrates that a mere 34 percent of claimants who were not represented by an attorney or advocate were approved for disability benefits. Yet, 60% of claimants who were represented by a lawyer or representative were approved. Thus, being represented at a hearing before an administrative law judge can significantly increase your chances of being approved for benefits.