At Hoglund Law Offices, we understand that preparing for your Social Security Disability hearing can feel overwhelming. In this video, attorney Andrew Kinney, with over 30 years of experience in disability law, walks viewers through what happens in a hearing, step-by-step. He explains that our goal is help clients feel informed, prepared, and less stress as they navigate this important stage in the process.
The Hearing Format
Hearings typically last about 45 minutes and can be conducted by phone, video, or in-person. Whether remote or face-to-face, the process remains largely the same. The judge begins by verifying your identity and ensuring you are alone and ready to testify. A vocational expert, someone who understands job requirements, is also present and may testify later in your hearing.
Questions You’ll Be Asked
The judge will first ask about your work history, generally focusing on the past five years. You’ll be asked to describe the nature of your previous jobs: what your jobs were, how often you may have been on your feet, and how much you lifted.
Next are medical questions. These are getting at how your health conditions limit your ability to work. You might be asked, for example, about the severity of your back pain on a scale from 1 to 10, or whether pain radiates down your legs. If you experience seizures, the judge may ask how often you have them, if you can tell when they’re coming, how long they last, and how you feel afterward.
For conditions such as diabetes, the judge may ask whether you’re following your doctor’s instructions, taking medications, or managing blood sugar fluctuations. These questions help determine if your conditions require accommodations, such as unscheduled breaks, that would make full-time work difficult or impossible.
The Role of the Vocational Expert
Toward the end of the hearing, the judge and your attorney will ask the vocational expert hypothetical questions based on different work limitations you may have. The expert will respond whether someone with your limitations could return to past work or do any other type of full-time work in the national economy.
It’s important to note that the disability standard is based on full-time work. The goal of the hearing is to determine if your medical conditions prevent you from sustaining full-time employment on a consistent basis.
Final Thoughts
While your hearing will not cover every detail of your medical history, it is your chance to explain how your conditions truly affect your daily life. The judge will have access to your medical records, but your personal testimony is invaluable.
Attorney Kinney emphasizes that reaching the Social Security hearing level is a positive step. You finally have the opportunity to be heard. After months of filling out forms and waiting for decisions from people who do not speak with you, your hearing is your moment to tell your story directly and plainly.
At Hoglund Law Offices, we’re here to guide you through every step of the Social Security Disability process. No matter where you live, if you would like our legal help with your 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. case, don’t hesitate to contact our national headquarters at 888-373-8806.
