A few days ago we talked about the effects of having your claim transferred to the National Hearing Center (link). In that post, we mentioned video teleconference (VTC) hearings, but it’s worth discussing them in a bit more depth because they can occur in places other than the National Hearing Center.
A typical Social Security disability hearing takes place in a hearing room at one of the Offices of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR). Each state has at least one ODAR, and this is typically where the administrative law judges and support staff are located. At a typical hearing, the ALJ and the claimant meet face-to-face, and discuss the claimant’s conditions, work experience, and other important information.
A VTC hearing has the same format as a regular hearing, but this time the claimant and the judge are not in the same room. Instead, the judge is typically at the ODAR and the claimant and his or her representative (if he or she has one) appear at a different location. The other location is often a local Social Security office, although it can also be a federal courthouse, a public library, or even a hotel conference room. In a VTC hearing, the judge and claimant are able to see one another by live video. While you can decline a VTC hearing and have one in person instead, VTC hearings are often more convenient for claimants because the VTC location may be much closer to where you live.
Regardless of the location, the actual content and process of the hearing is the same as when everyone is in the same room. However, technical issues sometimes can arise, and some of the hearing sites can be difficult to find. Having a Social Security disability attorney like those from Greeman Toomey can help walk you through the process and represent your interests at your hearing.
