After you have been denied at the initial and reconsideration levels of the disability process, it is finally time to request a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).  

Disability Hearing FAQs

 So many questions must be running through your head.  How long will it take to get a hearing?  What day and time will my hearing take place?  Where will it take place?  It can all be so overwhelming, but let us see if we can slowly unpack ta few of these questions to make the process a little less stressful.  

What day and time will my hearing take place?

At least 75 days prior to your hearing you will receive a letter called a “Notice of Hearing”.  On the first page of this notice, you will see the location, the date and the time of your hearing.   Toward the front of this packet, you will also find the ALJ’s name.  Toward the middle of the packet can be found an “Acknowledgment of Receipt (Notice of Hearing)”. 

You need to ensure that this page is filled out and sent back in to the SSA.  This letter confirms that you will be attending your hearing.  Almost always, the Notice of Hearing will include attachments for Recent Medical Treatment, Medications and Work Background.  Your judge will likely use this information during the hearing to make sure (s)he has a completed medical file and is able to do a proper job analysis.  Also, you will find any additional letters sent out to any experts who may testify at your hearing.  

If you do not receive a Notice of Hearing or it gets lost, you can always call your local Social Security Field Office.  This is NOT where your hearing will be.  This is the office where you would go to get a social security card.  They can provide you with your hearing information.  Simply enter your zip code here to find your field office’s address and phone number.  

Where will it take place? 

If you are having trouble reaching someone at your local field office or you remember what city the hearing is located, but not the exact location, you can look up the address of the hearing office here.  The hearing office locator page is divided into 10 regions.  Below is a table to assist you in finding out which region your state belongs.  Within each region you will find a list of Hearing Offices.  If you click on a particular hearing office, you can see which field offices it serves. 

Claimants are usually served by the closest hearing office.  Knowing your field office generally permits you to figure out which hearing office to go to.  In some instances; however, your hearing will be held via video from your field office or as the case has been since March 2020, it could be via telephone or Microsoft Teams video and you can have the hearing from the comfort of your own home.  Do not just look this up and blindly show up at a hearing office.  You have waited this long; ensure you are at the right place at the right time.  

Region 🡪 Hearing Office 🡪 Field Office  

How long will it take to get a hearing?  

Once you know which hearing office you have been assigned, you can click here to find out about how long it will take from the day you request a hearing until the day you actually have your hearing.