What to Expect at Your Social Security Hearing You will be notified of your hearing at least 20 days in advance. You should bring a photo-ID with you to the hearing. If you need a translator at the hearing, you should notify Social Security before your hearing. If other people will testify, let the Judge know that before your hearing. • You will receive written notification of your hearing. • If you cannot attend, notify Social Security right away.

The Hearing is informal. The hearing is not open to the public. People who will be at the hearing: You, The Judge, The Judge’s assistant Your attorney, if you have one, Any witnesses you bring, A vocational expert, A medical expert.

People who will be at the hearing:

You,

The Judge,

The Judge’s assistant

Your attorney, if you have one,

Any witnesses you bring,

A vocational expert,

A medical expert.

Are You Prepared? Before the hearing, you will need to make sure the Judge has all of your relevant medical records (most medical providers will charge you a fee for records). Be prepared to tell your story to the judge, making sure to tell them exactly why you are disabled. Do not leave anything important out of your testimony. Have you gotten a statement from your doctor explaining how you meet all of Social Security’s criteria for disability? Do you know what questions to ask the medical and vocational experts? • The Judge will question the vocational and medical experts. • You have the right to ask them questions as well. • If you have an attorney, he or she will question the experts for you. • Your attorney will also prepare you before the hearing by going over your testimony and all the legal issues that pertain to your case.

Before the hearing, you will need to make sure the Judge has all of your relevant medical records (most medical providers will charge you a fee for records).

Be prepared to tell your story to the judge, making sure to tell them exactly why you are disabled. Do not leave anything important out of your testimony.

Have you gotten a statement from your doctor explaining how you meet all of Social Security’s criteria for disability?

Do you know what questions to ask the medical and vocational experts?

Social Security Hearing Statistics Having an attorney with you at the hearing increases the chances of winning your case. *Data taken from testimony at a hearing before the SS Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee at a hearing held on 5/17/2001

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