From time to time I am asked “do I need to be at my hearing?” Always, I let my clients know that they should make every effort to appear in person. In my practice as an Indiana Social Security Attorney, it is almost always in your best interest to attend your hearing. My thoughts are, if you have waited this long for the big day to finally arrive and have your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim be resolved, why wouldn’t you show up? Unless, of course, you were physically or mentally unable to be there.
There are circumstances when an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will use his/her discretion to allow the claimant to appear by telephone. Events such as hospitalization, car trouble, or incarceration may warrant such an appearance. If you can let your attorney know well in advance, you may have a better chance of having a telephonic appearance granted by the Judge.
In my experience, if you are physically and mentally able to attend your hearing in person, it may help your case. One reason I do not prefer video hearings is that the ALJ may not be able to observe all of your problems the way they do in person. A telephone hearing makes matters even worse. I want the Judge to be able to see your physical or mental conditions in person. Your inability to walk steadily, inability to sit uninterrupted during the hearing, and facial expressions could support the underlying medical records. If the Social Security Administration (SSA) was going to make a determination on your medical records alone, that probably would have already happened. A hearing is your chance to present your case in person and you do not want to pass on that opportunity, if at all possible.
That being said, I do recognize that there are times when an appearance by telephone at your hearing is appropriate. All cases are different and the facts in each case do matter. If you do not think you are able to attend your Social Security hearing, it may be in your best interest to consult with your attorney or representative and determine the best course of action for you.
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