Social Security disability claimants who are initially denied and appeal will eventually be scheduled a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is what you want, for as your Bakersfield disability attorney will tell you, your best chance of having the claim approved is at this level. However, you need to keep certain things in mind.
Show Up Early
Unless your Bakersfield disability attorney requests that you arrive at a particular time for your SSD hearing, you should plan on being there a half hour before it is set to begin. Even if the Notice of Hearing you received mentions arriving earlier so that you can go over your file, half an hour should be plenty of time, considering your Bakersfield disability attorney has already gone over the file thoroughly. That said, it is very important that you not be late; the hearings usually begin on time.
Attire
There is no need for you to dress up for your hearing since it is an informal matter. However, within reason, you should dress in a neat, respectable manner, wearing clothes you are comfortable in.
Practice Reticence
Your Bakersfield disability attorney will advise you that a disability hearing is serious business. A legal hearing is not the appropriate time or place to make jokes or talk glibly about your case. Your lawyer will even discourage you from discussing your case prior to or after the hearing anywhere in the building or grounds where a stranger might overhear. There may be quite a few SSA employees in and around the building who could overhear you, misinterpret your comments and form a wrong impression.
Phones
If you bring your cell phone, turn it completely off prior to your hearing.
If you have questions and concerns about your disability case and would like to speak with an experienced and competent Bakersfield disability attorney, please contact us.
