Questions To Expect at Your Social Security Disability Hearing

Many individuals who attend a Social Security Disability Insurance and/or a Supplemental Security Income hearing are nervous about appearing before an Administrative Law Judge. For many people, this is the first legal proceeding that they have ever attended and it can be very intimidating. To help you prepare for your upcoming hearing, we have made a list of questions that are commonly asked at your hearing.

1.      What is you date of birth?

2.      How old are you?

3.      How far did you go in school?

4.      When was the last date that you attended school?

5.      Are you in school now?

6.      Did you ever attend a trade school or have some other type of vocational training?

7.      When did you last work?

8.      What was your last job title?

9.      What were your tasks and duties at this job?

10.  How much weight did you lift at this job?

11.   Was it a sitting or standing job?

12.  What other work have you performed in the last 15 years?

13.  What is preventing you from being able to work?

14.  What are your symptoms?

15.  What is your level of pain on a pain scale? Zero being no pain and ten being pain severe enough to force you go to the emergency room.

16.  What types of treatment have you tried?

17.  Have you had any surgeries?

18.  Have you had any hospitalizations?

19.  Are you able to concentrate while watching a television program?

20.  Are you able to read and understand a page in a book?

21.  How long can you sit?

22.  How long can you stand at one time?

23.  How long can you walk at one time in terms of minutes or city blocks?

24.  How much weight can you lift at one time in terms of pounds?

25.  Do you require an assistive device to help you walk or stand? Which device?

26.  Where do you live?

27.  Who do you live with?

28.  Who does the chores in your household?

29.  Who does the cleaning?

30.  Who does the cooking?

31.  Who does the grocery shopping?

32.  Do you have any children? Who cares for them?

33.  Have you traveled at all since you applied for disability? Where?

34.  Why can’t you perform a sit-down job?

35.  Why can’t you perform a job that allows you to sit and stand at will?

36.  Have you ever abused alcohol or drugs?

37.  How have you been supporting yourself since you stopped working?

 

While the Administrative Law Judge or your attorney may ask you additional questions based on your specific disability, the above questions are representative of many of the general types of questions that you will hear at your hearing. Be open and honest when answering these questions. Listen carefully to what the Administrative Law Judge or your attorney is asking you, so you stay on track when responding. Always answer questions succinctly.

Got a question about SSDI or SSI that you need us to answer? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com . We try to provide you with helpful information on our website that will allow you to successfully navigate the Social Security Disability process. Also, feel free to email me your questions at megan@westcoastdisability.com or call me at (800) 459-3017 x 103.