A
re you curious about what happens at a Social Security disability hearing? Here is the typical progression we see at the Portland Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. Each judge runs their hearings a bit differently, but below is an example of what you might expect:
9:20am: Arrive at the hearing office and go through security. They will check photo ID, do a search of all hand-carried items, and use the metal-detecting wand.
9:30am: Meet with your lawyer to discuss last minute questions and sign an updated medical release.
10:00am: Enter the hearing room. The lawyer and the judge will discuss the medical evidence in the electronic file and you will take an oath to tell the truth.
10:05am: The judge will ask you questions about your work history, impairments, and why you aren’t able to work.
10:30am: Your lawyer will ask follow up questions to be sure that the record contains all the essential testimony about your limitations.
10:45am: The judge will ask the vocational expert to describe your past relevant work, which is typically only those jobs you held full time. The judge and the lawyer will then ask hypothetical questions of the vocational expert about what types of jobs exist for people with specific limitations.
10:55am: The judge will tell you they will issue a written decision in the next few months and excuse you.
11:00am: You will have a short debrief with your lawyer to discuss how the hearing went and what next steps might exist.