If You Miss Your Social Security Disability Hearing   If you miss your Social Security Disability hearing, one of two things will happen: 1) your hearing will be rescheduled; or 2) your case will be dismissed and you may find yourself in the position of having to file a new claim for disability with social security. Obviously, the second option is the worse-case scenario. It can take many months for a claim to work its way through the first two levels of consideration within the state disability determination services (DDS) agency (the disability application and request for reconsideration), and if you have filed an appeal for a social security hearing before an administrative law judge you have an even longer wait ahead of you'backlogs in hearing offices across the country mean waits of 1 to 2 years in some states for a hearing to be scheduled. Related: 1. Preparing to win a Disability Hearing 2. What happens when you go to a Social Security Disability hearing? 3. What to expect at a disability hearing 4. Decision at the Disability Hearing After waiting all that time to appear before a judge, and almost certainly enduring significant financial and emotional hardship along the way, the last thing anyone wants to do is start the whole process over. And yet, that is exactly the position in which some claimants find themselves. Some fail to appear at their hearing because they didn't even realize that their hearing was scheduled'notices get lost in the mail, or claimants move without notifying the social security office, hearing office, or their attorney for that matter, if they have one. This is just another argument for having some kind of legal representation for your Social Security Disability hearing. Not only will your appointed disability attorney or non-attorney rep receive any notices from social security regarding your hearing, but the rep will also take steps to make sure you are aware of the hearing date and location (Typically, a rep will send a reminder notice of the hearing and may also call if you have not acknowledged receipt of either the notice from the hearing office or the reminder notice from the representative's office). Claimants at social security hearings are more likely to win their cases than those who choose to represent themselves for a host of reasons, including the ability to point out flaws or errors in judgment in the disability examiners' previous denials. However, your disability representative can't represent you if he or she can't contact you. Always keep your representative informed of your current address and phone number, as well as if you have any conflict with the scheduled hearing date. If you have good cause, i.e. a good reason for missing your disability hearing, such as transportation problems, illness, family emergency, etc., you may be able to get it rescheduled. This is a far better option that starting all over with a new claim, but still may involve an additional and significant wait before your case can be heard. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: How to file for disability in West Virginia Social Security Disability, SSI, Mental Disorders, Functional Limitations Social Security Disability and Short Term Disability Benefits School records for a child SSI disability claim Does Social Security approve people for drug or alcohol abuse or use? Chiari Malformation and Filing for Disability Social Security Disability Maximum back pay Social Security Disability Claims and Medical Exams What a lawyer says at a disability hearing Question about qualifying for SSI Social Security Disability SSI and Chronic Pain Factors involved in Winning SSDI or SSI Claims The Social Security Award Notice Spinal Stenosis and Filing for Disability Can you be approved for disability without a hearing?