What to Expect at a Social Security Disability Hearing

Most Social Security disability hearings begin with the judge’s description of your case history and your disability claim, including a statement of what you need to demonstrate in order to receive benefits. Sometimes this description and statement will be vague or unclear. Or the judge may suggest that Social Security disability benefits are available only if you are unable to perform any kind of work generally available for someone of your age, education and work experience. But this does not mean you have to be incapacitated in order to qualify for benefits.

After this introductory recitation, some judges will ask you questions directly and your own lawyer will then ask you follow-up questions. Of course, if your experienced Iowa disability lawyer has prepared you well for the judge’s questions in advance, he or she may not even have to ask you anything further.

Other judges require lawyers to do most of the questioning themselves. In these situations, your best strategy is to explain everything in full as if you were talking to someone you have never met before—even though you’re talking to your own Iowa disability lawyer. Remember, even though your attorney already knows your case, the judge is still hearing your story for the first time. You cannot assume that the judge necessarily knows or remembers what is in your file.

A skilled Iowa disability lawyer can help you to prepare for Social Security disability hearings and enable you to present your case fully, clearly and convincingly. If you believe you may be eligible to receive disability benefits, contact Iowa disability lawyer Thad J. Murphy.