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5 THINGS YOU MUST KNOW FOR A SOCIAL SECURITY HEARING

Social Security hearings are held by federal Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) and usually last about an hour.  You, the claimant, will be answering questions posed by the ALJ and by your own attorney/advocate.  Your answers to these questions will form your testimony and provide the ALJ with information needed to decide if you are disabled.

Here are some things you must be able to answer clearly at your hearing.

1.    On what date did you last work for pay?  The ALJ wants to month and year.  You must be able to state this without pause or hesitation.  "I last worked in November of 2022."

2.  Why do you think you are disabled?  May also be asked as:  "Tell me why you believe you are unable to work?"  

  •  Specifics:  Trouble walking, standing, sitting, reaching, bending, lifting, chronic pain, difficulty concentrat                     ing or staying focused, etc.  No general answers like, "I'm just not able to do it any  more."
  • Specifics: Because of back pain I can only sit for about ___ minutes and I can't stand more than about ______ minutes.  Or, My hands go numb with repeated use.

3.  Tell me about your most recent job.  The most important details here are standing and the maximum amount you lifted. These two factors help the vocational witness (VW) to classify your past work as sedentary, light, medium, heavy or very heavy.  This is very important.

4.  Explain any difficulties you have performing normal activities of daily living:  housework, yard work, driving, shopping, caring for your children, etc. 

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