Preparing well for your Social Security disability hearing

When you are unable to work due to a disabling medical condition, physical injury or type of mental illness, it can lead to grave financial circumstances. It’s important for your North Carolina family to secure benefits through the Social Security Administration, but the disability claims process is long and arduous. Before you start, you may want to take the time to learn more about what to expect, including how you can prepare for your hearing.

You may have to attend a hearing if your initial claim comes back denied. This is frustrating, but it is actually quite common. After this, you may request a reconsideration of your claim, but you shouldn’t be surprised if this is not successful as well. The next step of the appeals process is the disability hearing. Preparing for this step may make the difference between whether you are successful or not.

What’s going to happen?

Requesting a hearing is time sensitive. This means that it is critically important for you to act quickly if you would like to continue pursuing your right for disability benefits. The response time for this depends on how many requests are pending at one time and other factors. If your condition prevents you from being personally present, you may be able to attend via video technology. You may expect the following from this type of hearing:

• You will be able to speak to the judge about your illness or condition and give testimony to how it affects your ability to work.
• Others may speak on your behalf who can personal testify to your condition and its adverse effects on your life.
• You and your legal representative may have to answer certain questions about your claim and case.
• A physician or vocational expert may also speak or have to answer questions at your hearing as well.

Every situation is different, but these are just a few examples of what you can expect from your hearing. After considering everything said and presented in the hearing, the judge will make a determination regarding your disability claim.

Preparation is key

There is a lot on the line in your disability hearing. You will find it beneficial to prepare well for your case by seeking experienced defense counsel as early as possible in this process. Whether you need to complete your initial claim or you are fighting through the appeals process, you do not have to take even one step alone.