A Disability Attorney in Charlotte, NC Discusses the Appeal Process

If you would like to discuss the appeal process with an experienced disability attorney in Charlotte, NC, please call Bridgman Law Offices: (704) 815-6055.

Of the four different levels of Social Security administrative adjudication, your disability attorney in Charlotte, NC will inform you that the third involves a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ).

Attorney Advisor Review

Once you and your disability attorney in Charlotte, NC appeal for a hearing, an attorney advisor may ask for additional evidence, review your case file, and carry out a prehearing conference (typically by telephoning your disability attorney). The advisor may hand down a favorable decision after review, and if so, your request for a hearing is dismissed unless you and your attorney request to continue with the hearing within thirty days from the date of the advisor’s decision. According to 20 C.F.R. §404.942, a decision rendered by the advisor will be reviewed by the Appeals Council instead of an ALJ.

The Administrative Law Judge Hearing

Your disability lawyer in Charlotte, NC will inform you that your hearing may take place via video teleconferencing or in person with the administrative law judge. If you have any objection to video teleconferencing, the hearing must be rescheduled to allow you a face-to-face hearing with the judge.

An administrative law judge hearing is not adversarial. The judge will hear testimony and receive evidence. Testimony may be given by medical or vocational experts, either by video teleconferencing or in person, and some evidence that would not normally be admitted in court by the rules of evidence may be allowed at the hearing. The ALJ issues a decision in writing some time after the hearing has been completed.

Contact Disability Lawyers In Charlotte, NC

If you would like to discuss the appeal process with an experienced and knowledgeable disability attorney in Charlotte, NC, please contact Bridgman Law Offices at (704) 815-6055. Call today to request a free consultation.