How to Prepare for Your Social Security Disability (SSD) Hearing
By Erica S. Chitwood, Senior Disability Advocate
If you’ve applied for Social Security Disability benefits (SSDI or SSI) and received two denials, your next step is likely a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), a critical stage in your disability claim. With only 16% of claims approved at the reconsideration stage (SSA 2024), it’s more important than ever to understand and prepare for this hearing.
This article will walk you through everything you need to know about the Social Security Disability hearing process, who will be involved, what to expect, and how to prepare for success.
What Is a Social Security Disability (SSD) Hearing?
A Social Security Disability (SSD) hearing is an administrative proceeding overseen by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). You and your disability advocate or attorney will present evidence that supports your inability to work. While less formal than a traditional courtroom, this is still a legal proceeding, and your testimony and behavior matter.
Hearings can happen in three different ways:
Telephone
Video (via Microsoft Teams)
In-person at your local Office of Hearings Operations
Hearings typically last 30–60 minutes and are audio recorded.
Who Will Be at the Hearing?
Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) – Decides your case.
You – The claimant.
Your attorney or advocate – Prepares and presents your case.
Vocational Expert (VE) – Provides insight on job availability.
Medical Expert (ME) – Discusses your medical condition, if needed.
Court Reporter – Records the hearing.
What Happens at a Social Security Disability (SSD) Hearing?
1. Introduction & Oaths: The ALJ introduces the participants and explains the rules. You, any experts, and witnesses will be sworn in.
2. Opening Statement: Your advocate will outline your medical conditions and why they meet SSA’s legal criteria for disability.
3. Direct Examination: You’ll be asked questions about your medical conditions, symptoms, limitations, and daily life.
Examples of questions include:
What symptoms do you experience daily?
How far can you walk? How long can you sit or stand?
What treatments have you tried?
How do your conditions affect your ability to do housework, shop, or manage money?
Pro Tip: Give specific, measurable answers, e.g., “I can stand for 10 minutes,” not “I can’t stand long.”
4. Expert Testimony: The Vocational Expert (VE) will assess whether you can perform any work based on your limitations. A Medical Expert (ME) may testify if the judge needs more clarity on your condition.
5. Cross Examination: Your representative can challenge the VE’s or ME’s testimony, especially if it overlooks important limitations or medical facts.
6. Closing Statement: Your representative summarizes your case, highlighting how your condition meets the SSA’s definition of disability.
How to Prepare for Your Disability Hearing
Preparation is key. Here’s how to get ready:
Review your work history: Be able to describe your past jobs and physical/mental demands.
Know your top 3–5 medical conditions: Be ready to explain how each one limits your ability to work.
Diagram your limitations: Writing out your symptoms and how they affect you helps with memory and clarity.
Practice your testimony: Use a mirror or video call to simulate the hearing. Speak clearly and with confidence.
Gather last-minute medical evidence: Submit all documents at least 5 business days before your hearing.
Do a mock hearing with your representative. At Disability Help Group, we schedule these practice sessions with every client to boost comfort and confidence.
Day of the Hearing: What to Remember
Be early (or logged in 30 minutes before if remote)
Dress appropriately
Be in a quiet, private setting with good internet or phone signal
Speak clearly, directly, and respectfully
Address the judge as “Your Honor”
Own your testimony, you know your condition better than anyone else
After the hearing, expect a written decision within 3 weeks to 3 months.
The SSD hearing is a crucial moment in your claim. With preparation and proper representation, you can improve your odds of approval. At Disability Help Group, we help clients through every step, including mock hearings, documentation, and a hearing day strategy.
Need help preparing for your hearing? Call us at (800) 800-3332 for a FREE consultation with one of our experienced advocates or click here to fill out our contact form now.
This article was written and fact-checked by Erica S. Chitwood, Senior Disability Advocate. The content is based on current SSA guidelines and years of direct experience representing disability claimants at hearings.
U.S military disabled veterans who have been rated 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may qualify for expedited processing of their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims. This initiative by the Social Security Administration (SSA) helps ensure that fully disabled veterans don’t wait longer than necessary for critical benefits.
What Does Expedited Processing Mean?
When a veteran is confirmed as 100% P&T by the VA, SSA places their SSDI claim into a priority queue, reducing wait times significantly. While regular disability claims may take many months to process, expedited cases can be reviewed and decided much faster, sometimes in just weeks.
Important Clarification: Faster Does Not Mean Guaranteed Approval
It’s essential to understand that receiving a 100% P&T rating from the VA does not automatically mean the veteran will be approved for SSDI. The SSA has its own rules and definition of disability. However, that VA rating does flag the claim for faster processing, helping veterans get to a decision stage more quickly.
What About Wounded Warrior Status?
Veterans who became disabled while on active duty on or after October 1, 2001 may also qualify under SSA’s Wounded Warrior program. This program also offers expedited claim processing, regardless of whether the veteran has a 100% P&T rating.
We Help Veterans Navigate the Process
At Disability Help Group, we work closely with veterans who have been rated 100% P&T to help ensure their SSDI claims are processed as quickly and smoothly as possible. Our advocates are trained to identify eligible cases and provide the support needed to move your claim forward.
If you’re a veteran or assisting one who has questions about expedited SSDI processing or general disability benefits, we’re here to help. Call us today for a FREE consultation at (800) 800-3332 or click here to fill out our contact form. Let our experienced advocates help with your claim.
This article was written and fact-checked by Scott Layden, a Senior Disability Advocate with deep experience handling SSDI claims. This information is based on current SSA policy and hands-on casework.
One of the most common questions we hear is: “What’s the difference between SSI and SSD?”
While both programs fall under the umbrella of Social Security disability benefits, they serve very different purposes and have different eligibility requirements. Understanding the key distinctions can help you or a loved one determine the right path to financial support.
What Is SSI?
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program. That means your eligibility depends largely on your household income and assets, not just your own, but that of anyone living in your home.
To qualify for SSI:
You must be disabled.
You cannot own more than one house and one car.
You cannot have more than $2,000 in a bank account.
You cannot have assets that can be easily converted to cash (like insurance policies or tools).
Importantly, SSI benefits cannot be paid for any time before your application date. And if you’re eligible for any other type of payment, early retirement, insurance payouts, etc., you must apply for those as well.
What Is SSD (SSDI)?
SSD (also referred to as SSDI or Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your work history. If you paid into Social Security through your job, you earned credits (up to 4 per year).
To be eligible:
You must have earned enough work credits. (You need 20 out of 40 quarters of coverage to be insured.)
You must prove you became disabled before your credits expired (this is called your Date Last Insured).
You must have worked and paid in to social security at least five of the last ten years before your disability began
SSD benefits can be paid retroactively for up to one year before your application date, but you won’t receive payments for the first five months of your disability. Your SSD amount is based on how much you paid into Social Security over your working years.
Additional Key Points
If you’re approved for even $1 of SSI, you’re automatically eligible for Medicaid.
SSD recipients become eligible for Medicare after 29 months (a 5-month waiting period plus 2 years).
The maximum SSI benefit in 2025 is $967 per month.
If you qualify for both SSD and SSI, you’ll receive the higher of the two benefits, not both combined.
SSI is impacted by all sources of income, including inheritances, lottery winnings, and even the sale of personal items.
If you try to “spend down” assets below market value to qualify for SSI, it may result in a delay penalty.
When applying for both programs, SSI is processed first, and Social Security will contact you directly to review your income and resources.
Need Help Navigating the Disability Process?
Understanding your eligibility and maximizing your benefits can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in. The advocates at Disability Help Group are here to guide you through every step of the process and help ensure you receive the benefits you deserve.
Call us today for a FREE consultation at (800) 800-3332 or click here to fill out our contact form. We’re here to help!
This article was written and fact-checked by Jennifer Walker, a Senior Disability Advocate with extensive experience in Social Security disability. All information reflects current SSA guidelines and real-world case knowledge to help you better understand your rights and options.
I Was Wrongfully Denied Disability: What Should I Do?
If you have been denied Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI) and believe you should have been eligible, you are far from alone. More than 60% of Social Security Disability claims are initially denied. Many people who are initially denied disability benefits ultimately win benefits on appeal. However, that requires prompt action after you receive a denial notice.
Too many people miss their window to request reconsideration or request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). Most people who miss their opportunity to appeal can apply for disability benefits again. However, when that happens, you lose back benefits, potentially thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. And, depending on when you last worked and when you became disabled, you could lose eligibility entirely.
First Steps After You’ve Been Denied Disability
The first thing you should do when you’ve been denied disability is to check the deadline for requesting reconsideration. Reconsideration is the first level of appeal in the Social Security system.
Next, you will need to understand the reason you were denied disability. There are two different broad types of Social Security Disability Benefits denials. The first is a technical denial, and the second is a medical denial. Your options and next steps after you’ve been denied disability will differ depending on which type of denial you have received.
Technical Denials of Social Security Disability Benefits
When most people think about being denied disability, they are focused on the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) determination as to whether or not they are disabled. However, there are other threshold issues to be determined before the SSA even looks to see whether or not a person is medically disabled.
Work Credits
A person can qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits only if they have accrued sufficient work credits. The number of work credits required to receive Social Security Disability Benefits varies depending on the applicant’s age at the time they became disabled. For most workers, 40 work credits are required. Of those, 20 must be “recent.” In this context, recent means within the 10 years leading up to the person becoming disabled.
You will often hear 40 work credits described as 10 years of work. However, it is actually a little more complicated than that. Social Security work credits are based on earnings, not the passage of time. While you can only earn four work credits per year, you don’t necessarily have to work the full year in order to earn four work credits. For example, in 2025 it takes $1,810 in earnings to equal one work credit. So, if you are earning $5,000 a month, you could accrue four work credits in less than 60 days. The Social Security Administration will not look to see how many weeks or months of the year you worked, but will look at your total earnings for the year.
If you truly don’t have sufficient work credits to qualify for Social Security Disability, you cannot change that. You will not be eligible for benefits. However, mistakes happen. If your notice says that you have been disqualified due to insufficient work credits, carefully review your record to see whether there may be work history that is not included in your record or there are incorrect dates associated with your past work.
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
To meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of “disabled” you must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity. This is assessed in more detail if you reach the medical stage of the analysis. However, as a threshold issue, the SSA will disqualify you from receiving disability benefits if you are currently earning in excess of the SGA cut off. That number changes each year. In 2025, the cutoff for substantial gainful activity is $1,620 a month. If you are blind, that number is increased to $2,700 per month.
If you were earning more than the SGA cut off at the time you applied for Social Security disability but are no longer earning at that level, your income is sporadic or short-term, or your medical condition is worsening and you will be unable to sustain that work, you should speak to an experienced Social Security Disability Benefits advocate about how to proceed.
Medical Denials
Being medically denied disability is more complicated. The SSA takes two different approaches to determining whether you are medically considered disabled. The first is to assess whether your medical condition meets or equals a listing in the Social Security Blue Book. If you meet the criteria for a Blue Book listing, you will typically be determined to be disabled.
If you do not meet a Blue Book listing, you may still qualify. The SSA will take a more holistic approach that considers your work history, age, educational level and transferability of past job skills. If the SSA determines that you are unable to return to your previous work and it is not realistic for you to transfer your skills to another profession or retrain for different work, you may still be deemed disabled even though you did not meet a Blue Book listing.
Common Mistakes After You’ve Been Denied Disability
As mentioned above, the biggest mistake people make after being denied disability is not acting within the time frame allowed to request reconsideration or request a hearing before an administrative law judge. Another common mistake is to pass up the opportunity to provide supplemental information or explanation that could make a difference in your claim.
For example, when you file a request for reconsideration, you are not required to provide any additional information. In reconsideration, a different person at the Social Security Administration will review your claim from scratch. However, you do have the opportunity to provide supplemental medical records and other updates that could strengthen your claim. You don’t want to waste that opportunity.
Another mistake that impacts many people’s Social Security disability appeals is trying to handle the appeal on their own. An experienced Social Security disability benefits advocate can help you understand why you were denied disability and can put their experience to work helping you assemble the type of information the SSA will be looking for.
To learn more about how an experienced Social Security disability benefits advocate at Disability Help Group can help you submit the strongest possible request for reconsideration or appeal, call us today at 800-800-3332 or fill out our contact form here.
If you’re applying for or considering applying for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits, you’ve probably heard that denial rates are high. You may also know that if you appeal, you can wait a long time for a hearing. What you may not know is that both approval rates and the wait time for an appeal hearing differ based on geography. In other words, the chances of an initial SSD claim being approved are higher in some states than others. In fact, approval rates can vary from office to office or ALJ to ALJ within a state.
In 2024, approval rates for initial claims for SSD only ranged from 34.8% in the state with the lowest approval rate to 57.4%. Just five states had initial SSD approval rates higher than 50%:
New Hampshire – 57.4%
North Dakota – 56%
Vermont – 54%
Nebraska – 52.7%
Rhode Island – 51.5%
Most states had initial SSD application approval rates of between 40% and 50%. But, a handful of states had rates below 40%, including:
The states with the highest and lowest approval rates for Social Security disability benefits are listed above, but what if you live in and are applying for disability benefits in one of the dozens of other U.S. states? Here are the Q1 2024 approval rates for every state in the U.S., as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Alaska
49.8
Alabama
42.5
Arkansas
43.9
Arizona
34.8
California
42.5
Colorado
41
Connecticut
49.2
District of Columbia
45.8
Delaware
44.7
Florida
39.6
Georgia
39.4
Hawai’i
41.5
Iowa
48.7
Idaho
41.8
Illinois
46.3
Indiana
49.8
Kansas
48.4
Kentucky
40.6
Louisiana
45.9
Massachusetts
45.3
Maryland
47.2
Maine
46.4
Michigan
48.6
Minnesota
48.2
Missouri
47.5
Mississippi
46.7
Montana
43.5
North Carolina
40.8
North Dakota
56
Nebraska
52.7
New Hampshire
57.4
New Jersey
43.3
New Mexico
46.2
Nevada
38.8
New York
44.8
Ohio
44.1
Oklahoma
39.7
Oregon
47.9
Pennsylvania
46.4
Puerto Rico
46.1
Rhode Island
51.5
South Carolina
45.5
South Dakota
45.3
Tennessee
38.3
Texas
43.5
Utah
45.1
Virginia
48.9
Vermont
54
Washington
45.9
Wisconsin
49.8
West Virginia
41.7
Wyoming
47.3
Why are State SSD Approval Rates So Different?
It may surprise you that approval rates vary so much from state to state, given that Social Security disability is a federal program with a consistent set of requirements and eligibility criteria. There are several factors that may play a role in the SSD approval rate in a given state. It’s also worth noting that state populations vary significantly, meaning that the sample sizes are much different. For example, in Alaska, 313 initial SSD-only claims were decided in Q1 of 2024. During the same time period, more than 16,000 such claims were decided in California. A larger sample size makes the data more likely to be a reliable predictor.
Outcomes in a given state may be affected by variables such as:
How strictly applications are assessed by the team responsible for a particular location, which can vary based both on local procedures and on the individuals conducting the review
Access to quality medical care in the area, which in turn impacts the applicant’s ability to assemble solid medical documentation–insufficient documentation may delay claims or result in denial
The average age of the population, since older claimants are more likely to be approved
The educational level of the population, since workers with higher levels of education are generally considered better able to adapt to other work if they can no longer perform their previous work
The availability of quality assistance with the application process, which can make a significant difference in approval rates because an experienced advocate can ensure that the applicant avoids common mistakes and knows what type of documentation the Social Security Administration (SSA) will be looking for.
While it may be useful to know what to expect in terms of the likelihood of approval at the initial application stage in your state, it’s more important to focus on the factors that are within your control.
While most disabled workers aren’t in a position to relocate to a more favorable state to improve their odds of SSD approval, there are many steps you can take to strengthen your application. For example, you can:
Reliably see your doctor and any necessary specialists, ensuring that you’ve established a thorough record of your condition
Follow through with testing and treatment recommendations, to avoid the SSA deciding that they don’t have enough information about what your medical condition would be with property treatment to deem you disabled
Assemble a complete, effective application with the right type of documentation
Respond promptly to any requests from the SSA, such as a request for additional records or to undergo a specific test or exam
Know when to get help
An Experienced Disability Benefits Advocate Can Help
The SSD application process can be daunting. As you can see above, more than half of applications are denied in most states. Often, those denials could have been avoided. You can’t afford to make mistakes or omit important supporting evidence.
Fortunately, you don’t have to sort it out alone. Whether you are preparing to file a Social Security disability benefits application for the first time or have been denied and want to pursue a request for reconsideration or appeal, Disability Help Group is here for you. We help people with SSD applications and appeals every day, and have in-depth knowledge of both processes and how to assemble the documentation the SSA will want to see. To learn more about how our experienced disability benefits advocates can help you submit the strongest possible application, request for reconsideration or appeal, call 800-800-3332 right now, or fill out our contact form here.
