The Social Security disability process is a long and winding road, especially if the percentages stay consistent and an applicant has to appeal two unfavorable decisions at the lower levels of the process and have to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). If this happens, a typical Social Security disability case can take the better part of two years.
During this time you may think that there would be at least a few face-to-face meetings with the attorney who will represent a client at the hearing, but that is not necessarily the case. This is not because the attorney does not want to meet the client, but more so there is really no need to meet the client prior to the hearing date.
The beginning phase and all phases leading up to the actually hearing date are usually handled by legal staff at the attorney’s office. The main job of an attorney at a Social Security disability law firm is to represent a client at the hearing. The filing of applications, appeals, compiling supportive information and the collection and submission of medical evidence is done by the attorney’s staff.
Typically, the day of the ALJ hearing a client will be asked to show-up to the hearing site or the attorney’s office in advance. This provides the attorney an opportunity to ask the client any questions about what is viewed in the file as the attorney will do an extensive review of all the evidence in a client’s file. The client can also inquire about the hearing process.
Although there is not much need for a client to meet with their disability attorney prior to the actual hearing date, clients should feel welcome to make appointments with attorneys or the attorney’s staff should they wish to discus their case and address any concerns they may have.
To learn more about how a disability case is handled click here.
