SSDRC




What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI?

How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI?

If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits?

How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition?

What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits

Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits

How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing

If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare?

How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid?

Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process

How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability?

What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability SSI and Fibromyalgia

Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease

Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression?

Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability

What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability Status

Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on

Social Security Disability, SSI Disability - Terms, Definitions, Concepts


How long does a social security disability hearing last?


How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits

 
Disability hearings are, fairly often, somewhat short. It is not unusual to even have a hearing last as little as 10-15 minutes.

How can this be the case? If the administrative law judge presiding over the case has already, for the most part, made up his or her mind to "pay the case" (approve the claimant for disability benefits), then there is relatively little to discuss between the judge and the claimant, or the judge and the claimant's disability lawyer.

The fact that disability judges have the claimant's entire file available to them prior to the hearing ( including whatever medical records and other evidence has been gathered by either the claimant or their attorney and then submitted to the hearing office) facilitates this.

How can you tell if a disability hearing may take longer? If the judge has requested the appearance of expert witnesses, such as a vocational expert or a medical expert (judges do this to provide additional expert evaluation regarding a claimant's residual functional capacity or their ability to find employment in the national economy based on their condition and work abilities), it is less likely that the hearing will be over in 10-15 minutes.

When expert witnesses are called to be present at a social security hearing, such witnesses will communicate with the judge and the claimant's disability lawyers, usually over hypothetical situations that speculate as to A) the claimant's remaining mental or physical functionality, B) the availability of certain jobs and C) the claimant's ability to perform the work involved in those jobs.














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Topics and Questions


  • Is there a list of conditions that might Qualify you for Disability Benefits?

  • When are you allowed to get a Disability Lawyer?

  • What are the Requirements for Social Security Disability and SSI?

  • Does the Social Security Administration use experts for determining disability?

  • When can I expect my first disability check and my back pay check?

  • Applying for disability benefits in North Carolina

  • The Medical Requirements for Receiving Social Security Disability or SSI

  • Are SSI and SSD disability claims denied by social security for lack of evidence?

  • What is usually the status of your social security disability or SSI case?

  • What are Medical Experts at Social Security disability hearings?

  • What if you Move out of State after you apply for Social Security Disability or SSI?

  • Where do you call to get the status of your Social Security Disability or SSI Claim?

  • When will a disability lawyer decide to take your case?

  • Do you file for Social Security Disability or SSI?

  • Can you still Appeal if the Judge denies your Disability Claim?

  • Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Indiana

  • Who makes the decision on a social security disability or SSI case?

  • What does a Social Security Disability Lawyer or Representative do for your claim?

  • Applying for disability benefits in Kentucky

  • How does Social Security Disability decide that you cannot work?






















    SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

    The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

    Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

    Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

    Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

    Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials