What Should You Say at Your Social Security Disability Hearing?
For many people trying to get Social Security Disability or SSISSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. Social Security administers this program. We pay monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Blind or disabled children may also get SSI. benefits, the Social Security disability hearing can be the most stressful part of the entire benefits process. You may worry about what to say, how to say it, or whether you’ll remember the right details. In this video, Andrew Kinney, a seasoned Social Security disability attorney with Hoglund Law Offices, breaks down what Social Security judges usually need to know at hearings and how you can discuss your medical limitations clearly and confidently.
Andrew Kinney has handled disability hearings since 1992. He currently argues about 500 hearings a year. With that experience, he offers a straightforward answer to the question, “What am I supposed to say at my hearing?” His short answer is simple: Tell the truth. From this starting point, he emphasizes to be yourself. Understand the purpose of the hearing. Be ready to explain how your limitations impact your daily life. Think of examples of your “work arounds,” ways you get things done now because of your medical issues.
What the Judge Wants to Understand
According to Mr. Kinney, the main goal of a disability hearing is for the judge to understand three things:
- What medical problems limit you?
- How do your medical problems limit you?
- How often do your medical problems limit you?
These medical problems can be physical or emotional. The judge will want a clear picture of how your conditions affect your everyday activities. Rather than focusing on medical terms, the hearing centers on your functional limitations—how well you can lift, carry, sit, stand, walk, concentrate, or stay focused.
Preparing to Explain Your Limitations
Mr. Kinney notes that some of the questions may feel unusual because you are describing your limitations in ways you may not have thought of. For example:
- What percentage of a typical day do you need to lie down because of back pain?
- How long can you sit upright before you need to get up and change positions?
- How often do symptoms like migraines, fatigue, or anxiety interfere with what you need to do each day?
These aren’t trick questions. Instead, they help paint an objective picture of what a typical day looks like for you.
Be wary of Social Security hearing attorneys who recommend that you stick to “yes or no” answers or that ask you to “rehearse” answers. This may reflect inexperience in this legal practice area.
Instead, plan to think clearly about how your day-to-day life is different now since you have been unable to work. Again, examples help. Ask yourself:
- Can you care for yourself the way you used to?
- Can you do the same hobbies or follow the same interests?
- Are you involved with your family and friends in the same way?
- Can you do chores or run errands the way you used to?
Use Real-Life Examples
Mr. Kinney encourages his clients to use specific, everyday examples to show how your medical problems limit you. For example, do you have trouble:
- Doing dishes
- Making a pot of coffee
- Grocery shopping
- Doing simple tasks without needing breaks
These concrete examples help the judge picture how your life has changed and make your limitations more relatable and understandable.
No Tricks, No Perfect Answers, Just Honesty
Social Security hearings are informal and not adversarial. With few exceptions, there are no traps. You aren’t expected to say things in a perfect or rehearsed way. If you don’t understand a question, ask the judge to repeat it. The goal is clarity, not a “right” answer. This is particularly true when discussing past or current legal or chemical dependency issues. Answer questions about uncomfortable subjects directly and honestly, first with your attorney before your hearing and then with the Social Security judge at your hearing.
The End Goal
After your Social Security hearing, the judge should have a clear picture of your typical day, your bad days, and how often you have bad days per week or month. This honest, detailed testimony helps the judge make a fair and fully informed decision.
If you have questions about preparing for a Social Security disability hearing or want help navigating the process, give Hoglund Law Offices a call today!
Our lawyers at Hoglund Law Offices help clients across the country get approved for Social Security Disability and SSI benefits. No matter where you live, you can call us at 888-373-8806.
