SSD Hearings Go Telephone During COVID-19
At this time, Social Security offices around the country are closed due to COVID-19. What does this mean for claimants who have a Social Security disability benefits hearing scheduled during this event? Those seeking disability will be given the option to postpone their hearing until a later date or to have the hearing by telephone.
In Kansas City, most of BurnettDriskill’s clients are opting for a telephone hearing. So how is that different from business as usual?
First, if your phone number has changed, be sure to update the Social Security Administration. An employee of the hearing office will be calling at the same date and time that your original hearing was scheduled. On the line with you will be the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), your attorney (if you have one), the hearing recorder, and the Vocational Expert.
The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will talk to you about hearing privacy. It is important that you are alone in a quiet space for the hearing. The ALJ may have you specifically state that no one is in the room with you, and that no one is recording the hearing.
The hearing will then proceed. If at any time you change your mind and want an in-person hearing, you just need to let the judge know. The hearing will be paused and resumed in person at a later date.