An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing is one avenue of Social Security disability appeal that is available to you. But what happens at a Mount Dora ALJ hearing?

  If you have applied for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income and your claim was denied, you can appeal the decision of the Social Security Administration. There are four levels of appeal including a Mount Dora ALJ hearing, and they are:
  • Reconsideration
  • Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
  • Review by the Appeals Council
  • Federal Court review 
  If you disagree with the decision made at the reconsideration level, you can request an administrative hearing. The ALJ who conducts the hearing will have had no involvement in the original determination of your case.    For your administrative appeal, and at any point in the Social Security benefits process,  it is recommended that you work with an experienced Social Security Disability attorney. Your attorney can help you navigate your claim from start to finish.  

3 Things You Might Not Expect From Your Mount Dora ALJ Hearing

 

The ALJ May Ask For Expert Witnesses

It is not unusual for the ALJ to request that doctors and other vocational experts appear at the administrative hearing as witnesses. These expertMount Dora ALJ Hearing witnesses will be hired by the Social Security Administration to share their opinion on your medical condition and whether or not it will affect your ability to work.    You may also introduce potential witnesses to testify in your hearing, but it is best to consult with your attorney to decide whether or not this would help your case.   

You Will Probably Not Hear The Judge’s Decision That Day

Although you are probably very eager to hear the final decision from the ALJ, any decisions that are made are typically communicated in writing within the next few months following the hearing.    Their determination will explain whether you were approved or denied, and how the ALJ came to that decision. The decision may be:
  • Full approval, meaning that the ALJ has granted you disability benefits, including retroactive benefits back to your alleged date of onset
  • Partial approval, which means that the ALJ may disagree with you regarding your alleged onset date. In this case, you will receive benefits but the start date may be different than the date stated on your original application. 
  • Denial, when the ALJ has denied your claim. In this situation, you will have 60 days from the date that you receive the decision to ask the Appeals Council to review your case.
 

You Are Not In This Alone

The disability claims process can seem lengthy and complex, but there is no reason for you to go through an ALJ hearing, or any other part of the Social Security Disability appeals process by yourself. The Mount Dora disability denial lawyers at Culbertson & Jacobs, PLLC, are waiting to discuss your case with you. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.