Going to a disability hearing is the last thing many people want to do. The good news is you have options. Many disability hearings are informal and include options for attendance that include by phone, video call, or in-person. Cooperating with a disability hearing is vital for increasing your chances of receiving disability benefits. You can also have a Pennsylvania disability lawyer represent you at the hearing.

What to Expect with a Disability Hearing

A disability hearing can be requested when your disability benefits application was denied by the Social Security Administration (SSA). You can also request a hearing to appeal other decisions like disability benefits being revoked or overpayment claims. The most important thing to know is that you only have 60 days after the decision you are appealing to request a hearing.

Be prepared to provide additional information or documentation after you submit a hearing request. You might be asked various questions leading up to the hearing. One of the most important steps when preparing for a hearing is to submit all the evidence you have beforehand. This must be done no later than five days before the hearing.

Once the hearing request is accepted, the SSA will send you information on the hearing date and time. You have the option to reschedule the hearing, waive the hearing, or have a lawyer represent you. However, each of these requests comes with different deadlines.

At the hearing itself, you will be expected to defend your need for disability benefits before an Administrative Law Judge. You can do this with new evidence, witness testimonies, and expert testimonies. Be prepared to answer and ask questions at the hearing.

The outcome of the hearing is a written statement from the judge, a decision on your disability claim. If you still disagree, you can file another appeal.

How a Disability Hearing Can Help You

The benefits of disability hearings revolve around increasing your chances of receiving disability benefits. Many disability claims are denied during the first round of submissions. Sometimes all it takes to change this is one more piece of evidence.

In some cases, you can receive a new decision on your disability claim before the hearing. This happens when the evidence in your submitted case file is noted as favorable by a disability hearing officer. After the hearing, you also have the option to continue to submit additional evidence.

An opportunity is provided to submit additional evidence within 15 days after the hearing. A review and comment on this evidence are allowed within 10 days after you receive a letter from the SSA that requests your comments on this evidence. Try contacting a Pennsylvania disability lawyer if you have any questions about how this process works.

Call Edelstein & Nelson Today

Going through the appeals process for disability benefits can be tedious. Talk to a Pennsylvania delayed insurance benefits attorney if your disability claim was denied or delayed. All you have to do is contact Edelstein & Nelson today at (800) 300-0909 for a consultation about your legal options. Our legal team is ready to help you find ways to defend your need for disability benefits.