Social Security Disability Guide:
The Administrative Law Judge Hearing
If the claim is again disallowed after the request for reconsideration,
the claimant can request a hearing. The hearing will be held in front
of a hearing officer known as an Administrative Law Judge [referred to
as an ALJ]. The hearing provides an opportunity for
the ALJ
to question the claimant to better understand the effect of the
disabling condition.The request for hearing may be filed with the local Social Security District Office. The request must be filed within 60 days from the date the reconsideration disallowance was received.
The request for hearing should be filed as soon as possible, because there is a large backlog of cases and there will be a long delay before a hearing is scheduled. The sooner you file, the sooner you will get a hearing. Remember to update the medical evidence until the hearing date.
In an unusual case, such as where death may result, you can ask the ALJ for an expedited hearing -- in other words for a hearing sooner than normal -- by explaining why the expedited hearing is necessary in writing.