The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers several programs that pay disability benefits to individuals. These include Title II (“covered” or insured employment) and Title XVI, covering individuals with limited income and resources.
Social Security uses Medical Experts (MEs) and Vocational Experts (VEs) to provide evidence at hearings before an administrative law judge (ALJ). At this level of the administrative review process, people ask for a hearing before an ALJ regarding a prior determination on their claim for benefits under the Social Security disability program. Social Security’s hearing operation is considered the largest trial-type system in the world and is one level in a four-level administrative review process within the SSA.
The Vocational Expert
Social Security uses Vocational Experts (VEs) to provide evidence at hearings before an administrative law judge (ALJ). VEs provide services for SSA under a BPA to provide expert witness services for the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO). As a VE, you will provide impartial expert opinion evidence that an ALJ considers when making a decision about disability. You will review the provided exhibits prior to the scheduled hearing. You will usually testify in person at a hearing, although you may be asked to testify by video teleconferencing (VTC) or by telephone, and sometimes you may provide opinions in writing by answering written questions called interrogatories.
The Medical Expert
Social Security uses Medical Experts (MEs) to provide evidence at hearings before an administrative law judge (ALJ). MEs provide services for SSA under a BPA to provide expert witness services for the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO). As a ME, you will provide impartial expert opinion evidence that an ALJ considers when making a decision about disability. You will review the provided exhibits prior to the scheduled hearing. You will usually testify in person at a hearing, although you may be asked to testify by video teleconferencing (VTC) or by telephone, and sometimes you may provide opinions in writing by answering written questions called interrogatories.
