Most first-time applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are rejected by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for any one of numerous procedural mistakes or perceived problems with eligibility. Sometimes, it is possible to resolve an initial claim denial by requesting reconsideration from the SSA’s Disability Determination Services department, but if that does not end with the rejection being overturned, the next step in the process is a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
Going into a hearing before a court official with potentially life-changing Social Security benefits on the line can be stressful, especially if you try to pursue your claim without guidance from a seasoned SSDI attorney. With a Reno SSDI hearings lawyer from Shook & Stone on your side, you will have much better chances of convincing the judge that you qualify for benefits and avoiding any further delay in receiving the support you need.
Preparing for an Administrative Law Judge Hearing
After receiving notice that your request for reconsideration has been denied, you have a maximum of 60 days to formally request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, which is something a Reno SSDI hearings attorney can provide crucial help with accomplishing. Rather than being held in courtrooms like criminal trials or civil hearings, ALJ hearings are often held in much more informal settings. They can often be attended virtually over the phone or through video conferencing software.
Your primary focus as the petitioner in this sort of hearing will be to convince the ALJ that the people within the SSA who reviewed your claim previously were wrong in their assessment of your disability and whether it is severe enough to make you eligible for SSDI benefits. There will also often be one or more vocational or medical experts in attendance who can attest to how disabling a particular condition can be and what work it may prevent someone from performing. In addition, depending on the circumstances, the judge may allow you to call witnesses to testify about how severely your disability is affecting your life as a whole.
What to Expect After the Hearing Ends
Ideally, the ALJ will make a decision about your case within a few weeks of your hearing, but in some situations, you may have to wait several months before receiving their verdict. If the ALJ approves your claim, you will receive SSDI benefits within six months at the latest, along with back pay and interest if applicable.
If the ALJ rejects your claim, the next stage in the appeals process is petitioning for another review of your claim from the Appeals Council within the Social Security Administration. However, this is not always worth the additional effort and expense for every claim, so it is always worth discussing your options with a knowledgeable SSDI hearings lawyer in Reno.
Consider Working With a Reno SSDI Hearings Attorney at Our Firm
Asking for a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge over your rejected SSDI claim is far from a desperate move—in fact, it often leads to rejections being reserved in favor of applicants who would have otherwise been denied much-needed benefits. At the same time, success at this stage of the appeals process is far from guaranteed, especially if you try to go through it alone and without support from dependable legal counsel.
A Reno SSDI hearings lawyer at Shook & Stone could be the ally you need to effectively pursue the benefits you deserve. Call today for a free and confidential consultation.
