Social Security hearings during COVID are different and there are some things that you should know so that you can be prepared for your disability hearing.
First, the Social Security Administration is not having hearings in person. Therefore, since April 2020, Social Security judges have been conducting hearings via telephone.
How Does a Telephonic Social Security Hearing Work?
During a telephonic hearing, you can talk to the judge from anywhere you want. You should choose a quiet location with good service for your Social Security hearing. You should be ready 5-10 minutes early, and know that it’s quite possible that the judge might be running behind. As a result, don’t be alarmed if the judge is late calling you. You should call the hearing office to find out the status of your hearing if more than an hour has gone by.
Social Security hearings during COVID are conducted as a conference call. You, your attorney, the judge, and the vocational expert will all be in separate locations but on the phone together. The judge will begin by introducing themselves and speaking with your attorney about the contents of the record. Then the judge will typically ask you questions. After that, your attorney asks you follow-up questions, depending on what the judge asked. Next, the judge will ask the vocational expert questions. Finally, your attorney will ask the vocational expert questions, again based on what the judge asked.
How Long Do Social Security Hearings last?
Social Security hearings usually last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes on average. Often, the hearing will end abruptly after the judge or attorney finishes questioning the vocational expert. You should ask your attorney to call you after the hearing has ended so that they can explain what happened and let you know what to expect next. Remember, you almost never know the results of a hearing on the day you have it. You have to wait for a decision to come in the mail, which often takes 30 to 60 days, or more.
At Menard Disability Law, we can help you understand the Social Security hearing process and prepare for your telephonic hearing. We’ll walk you through the process so that you feel less anxious about what to expect, and even more importantly we’ll prepare your case and make the legal arguments necessary to win your case.
Contact us today to learn how we can help!
