social security disability

Do you need a Lawyer at the Administrative Law Judge Disability Hearing?


 
Most disability applicants will need a lawyer at the administrative law judge disability hearing if they wish to significantly increase their potential to win their disability case.

This is simply a point of reality considering that an unrepresented claimant will have zero understanding of how the SSD and SSI claim determination process works, and what should be done to properly prepare a case for presentation to an administrative law judge.

On top of all this, of course, is the fact that a claimant will be at a severe disadvantage should the judge have a medical or vocational expert appear at the hearing. Responding properly to hypotheticals raised by an expert, or addressing new hypotheticals to an expert witness, can help determine whether or not a claim will be approved by a judge.

Back to the speed aspect, however, having a lawyer for your administrative law judge appeal may make the disability process faster by requesting the judge make a decision on the face of the record, or on the record. What is this? If your lawyer provides medical records that indicate you are disabled or they believe the records contained in your disability file support an approval of disability benefits, they may ask the judge to make a disability determination without an actual hearing. This can eliminate many months of time that would usually be spent simply waiting for a hearing date.

Barring a disability decision on the face of the record, your lawyer can also send a letter of dire need to the hearing office to expedite the processing of your request for a disability hearing. If your lawyer files a dire need letter, make sure the letter is sent along with evidence that you are indeed behind on your rent, mortgage, or utility bills, or that you have a definite need for medications which you cannot afford.

Note: It is important to remember a dire need letter may or may not affect the wait time for an administrative law judge disability hearing. It really depends upon the backlog of hearings in your area hearings office. Social Security hearings offices receive thousands of dire need letters from individuals just like you who are at their financial wits end because of their inability to work and earn a living. Having said this, dire need requests for expedited hearings are often still worth the effort. In some cases, they can eliminate an entire year of waiting.














Return to:  

  • Social Security Disability & SSI Resource Center

  • Social Security Disability and SSI Disability Information Pages












    Topics and Questions


  • How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability?

  • Social Security On The Record Disability Decisions

  • Do You Automatically Get Approved For Disability If You Have Had A Stroke?

  • What Determines Social Security Disability Income?

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

  • Information about the SSI Disability Benefits Program

  • Should I apply for social Security disability or SSI disability ?

  • How Does Social Security Decide If You Are Disabled Or Not?

  • Filing for Social Security disability- what to bring when you apply

  • If my medical condition keeps me from working will I get Social Security disability ?

  • How long does it take to get a social security disability hearing decision?

  • Mental Disability Benefits - What Social Security will Consider

  • What Happens When You File a Social Security Disability Application?

  • What is the time frame for a judge to write up a decision for a disability hearing?

  • Applying for Disability - what are the rules?

  • Should you get a Statement from a Personal Physician for your SSD or SSI Disability Case?

  • Social Security Disability SSI Terms and Definitions

  • Social Security Disability SSI: Medical Evidence, Records, and Limitations

  • What if I go to a Social Security hearing without an Attorney or a Disability Representative?

  • What does Social Security Disability Need to Know about your Work History and Jobs?

  • Can you appeal a disability claim denial if the deadline has passed ?

  • What is a Social Security Disability Denial based on?

  • Is Bipolar Disorder a disability according to Social Security?

  • What kind of cases win disability benefits ?

  • How much time does it take to get an SSI Decision?

  • Medical Disability- How does Social Security view your work and medical records

  • How to Appeal a disability claim denial from Social Security

  • Should I apply for social Security disability or SSI disability ?

  • What Disabilities Qualify for SSI Disability Benefits?

  • How long does it take to get an SSI decision ?

  • What is the Role of a Social Security Disability Representative?

  • What is the Purpose of the Social Security Disability SSI Medical Exam, or CE?

  • Filing Disability Appeals- Reminders About the SSD, SSI Appeal Process

  • If Social Security Disability sends you to an Exam, will it be done by your doctor?

  • How Long Does It Take To Get SSDI If You Have To Appeal?

  • Optic Neuritis and Filing for Disability

  • Who Do I Contact at Social Security To File For SSD or SSI Disability?

  • How do Social Security Disability and SSI appeals work ?

  • The Time Involved on a Social Security Disability Decision

  • How many work quarters do you need to qualify for disability ?

  • Osteoarthritis and Filing for Disability

  • How Long Can You Receive Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI)?

  • Do You Have To Be Out Of Work For A Long Time Before You Can File For Disability?














    Special Sections


  • The Social Security Disability SSI Application Process

  • The Social Security Disability Appeal Process

  • SSI Disability Benefits

  • Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits







    Return to Social Security Disability Resource Center


    Or click to one of the following:


    Return to -- Social Security disability Appeals

    Return to -- In order for the disability examiner to make a medical determination

    Return to -- Social security disablity attorney fee

    Return to -- Do you need to see a Social Security Disability Judge?

    Return to -- Social Security Disability Back Pay and the Attorney fee

    Return to -- Social Security Disability Doctor Statement

    Return to -- What Is The Difference between SSD (Social Security Disability) and SSI?

    Return to -- Getting a Social Security Disability or SSI Award

    Return to -- Disability Benefits for Children

    Return to -- If you call for a status on your disability claim

    Return to -- Social Security Disability SSI Blog ,

    Return to -- Eligibility to receive SSI benefits is affected by money in the bank, income, land, rental property

    Return to -- How long do you have To Be Out Of Work Before You Get Social Security Disability?

    Return to -- To file an appeal with social security

    Return to -- Using an SSDI Social Security Disability Lawyer

    Return to -- Social Security Disability SSI List of Impairments and Conditions

    Return to -- Hiring a social security disability lawyer - information about the SSDI attorney

    Return to -- SSD Disability Representatives in Various States

    Return to -- Neuralgia and Filing for Disability

    Return to -- Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Filing for Disability

    Return to -- Macular Degeneration and Filing for Disability

    Return to -- Disability Lawyer Representation in Indiana

    Return to -- Disability Lawyer Representation in North Carolina