When the Social Security Administration (SSA) schedules a hearing, you select a format that suits your needs and claim. Choosing video/phone vs. in-person hearings in Kansas City can impact the timing of your hearing, the availability of witnesses, and the judge’s perception of any testimony.
An SSDI hearings attorney can explain the practical differences, help you consider the logistics, and plan a presentation suited to the chosen format. In either setting, the aim is to present clearly supported limitations that match your medical and vocational records.
Video hearings use secure teleconferencing, enabling the judge, vocational expert, and any medical experts to appear from various locations. In-person hearings place everyone in the same room at the hearing site. The SSA in Kansas City may arrange for a hearing to proceed in person or by video/phone, but you may request the alternate manner of appearance if appropriate.
Under the regulation, the agency outlines the procedures for arranging appearances and managing requests. A balanced approach to requesting alternatives will help. A strategy for hearing locations will consider travel limitations, interpreter needs, and whether a live demonstration of movement or positioning would help create a clear record of your situation.
Scheduling options may differ, with video hearings potentially available earlier. While in-person hearings provide a setting where the judge can observe movement, posture changes, and pacing directly, some witnesses may participate more easily via video, including those who are treating sources or family members who are unable to travel. Your choice between video/phone and in-person hearings in Kansas City may also depend on access to technology, privacy at home, and the need for a calm and structured environment.
Communication style matters, as some people speak more comfortably in person, while others focus better on the camera with notes nearby. If concentration or anxiety affects you, format may shape how you present your claim. Your representative may test both settings in preparation to see which one supports detailed, consistent testimony.
The following checklist will help you be prepared:
For video hearings, arrange stable lighting, position the camera at eye level, and practice answering questions in a natural, paced manner. For in-person hearings, plan your transportation, allow time for security, and bring any required assistive devices. For your Kansas City hearing, whether held via video/phone or in person, answer questions directly, describe frequency and duration, and point to records that support your statements.
Vocational and medical experts may appear in either format, and your representative can confirm their attendance, request exhibits in advance, and prepare targeted questions that test assumptions. Suppose a vocational expert cites jobs that do not match your limitations. In that eventuality, your representative may request the Dictionary of Occupational Titles codes and an explanation that aligns with the file.
If a consultative examination report contains errors, your representative can file clarifying materials so the judge sees a complete record. Focused preparation for your video/phone or in-person hearing in Kansas City may include a brief rehearsal of likely questions, strategies for dealing with pauses, and instructions on how to request a break if your symptoms flare.
When deciding between formats, your choice of video/phone vs. in-person hearings in Kansas City may be based on comfort, access, and how your limitations are best presented on the record.
Contact BurnettDriskill, Attorneys, today to arrange a free consultation. Our team will review your file, discuss logistics, and plan your testimony to facilitate the progress of your claim with a clear and reliable presentation.
(816) 781-4836