You’ll probably feel like breathing a sigh of relief after your Social Security disability hearing is over. Gathering every piece of paperwork and preparing for questions from an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) aren’t small tasks. Since most disability claimants get approved for benefits at the hearing stage, it’s important to be serious about planning for your hearing. You’re probably wondering if there are any telltale signs you won your SSDI hearing.
Are There Signs You Won Your SSDI Hearing?
Unfortunately, there really aren’t many clear signs of a good SSDI hearing. The best-case scenario is one where you receive a bench judgment from the ALJ. During a bench judgment, the ALJ will tell you if you are approved for benefits or not immediately after your hearing concludes. If a judge tells you your claim is successful, you can expect to receive a written decision after the hearing. Unfortunately, most people leave their hearings not knowing whether they will receive benefits, and it could take between two and three months to receive the decision in the mail.
Signs of a Good Disability Hearing
However, there are some indicators that your hearing went well. The first would be the judge issuing a bench decision mentioned above. Additionally, a medical expert could say your condition meets a Social Security listing, which automatically qualifies you for benefits. A judge could also ask a vocational expert if they believe you are physically able to work or if there are other kinds of jobs you could perform. If they state you cannot return to work and there are no other jobs you can do, it’s a good sign the ALJ will consider you disabled by federal standards and award you benefits.
Are There Signs You Lost Your Disability Hearing?
There are no clear signs pointing to a failed disability hearing. Some claimants believe that if an ALJ comes across as dismissive or harsh in their demeanor that implies a negative outcome is imminent. However, you should not read into the ALJ’s behavior, since it is often a poor indicator of success. Expert testimony and your responses to the ALJ’s questions will ultimately shape the outcome of your hearing, so it’s important to adequately prepare for your hearing in advance.
How Long After Disability Hearing Should I Hear About a Decision?
Most claimants should receive a letter determining the status of their benefits within roughly 90 days following the hearing. In some cases, this could take longer. It can take a while for your medical records to make their way to Social Security. For example, the disability examiner initially assigned to your case could be inundated with several other cases, or you may have a complicated condition that requires the ALJ to spend more time reviewing your case. The letter-writing phase can also be prolonged if the office has a high volume of decisions to attend to before yours.
While you await the verdict, continue treatment as normal and wait for the letter to arrive. After the hearing, your file stays at the hearing office until the ALJ makes their decision. Only then will the letter-writing department draft your letter, send it back to the ALJ for their signature, and then mail it to you.
Possible Decisions From Your Hearing
When you do finally receive your Notice of Decision from the ALJ, read it closely. It will say whether you have been approved for benefits or denied, along with the rationale for the determination. If you are successful, you’ll either receive a fully favorable decision, a partially favorable decision, or an unfavorable decision.
What Does a Favorable SSDI Decision Mean?
If your decision is fully favorable, the ALJ agrees you are disabled and agrees with your alleged onset date. You will receive benefits as expected.
What Does a Partially Favorable SSDI Decision Mean?
If your decision is partially favorable, the ALJ agrees you are disabled but does not agree with your alleged onset date. They will assign you a different onset date, called an “established onset date,” and modify your back benefits accordingly. The change in onset date does not affect your regular monthly benefit payments going forward. That means that you were disabled and unable to work for at least twelve consecutive months, but you are no longer disabled. You will receive benefits only for the months during which the ALJ agrees you were disabled.
What Does an Unfavorable SSDI Decision Mean?
If you receive an unfavorable decision, the ALJ determined you did not meet the federal definition of disability and are not entitled to benefits. You have sixty days to appeal the decision to the Appeals Council where your case will undergo reconsideration. The appeal must be in writing and outline a case for why the ALJ’s decision was not based on substantial evidence. If you have not been represented by an attorney prior to this stage, you should consider hiring one now.