Curious about Who will be in the Room at Your Michigan Social Security Disability Hearing? Here’s What You Need to Know

There is no doubt that the world of Social Security Disability is one that is not very transparent. To the average Michigan resident, the Social Security Disability process may seem confusing, daunting, and very mysterious, as Social Security Disability hearings are not open to the public to view and are not televised. Indeed, aside from those who work for the Social Security Administration, lawyers and representatives, applicants, and other people involved in the Social Security Disability process, very few people have a glimpse into just how a Social Security Disability hearing works and all the moving parts, pieces, and people that make the process flow. But who are the people who typically attend a Social Security Disability hearing, and who (other than the applicants themselves) will be in the room when your case is heard? To help Michigan Social Security Disability applicants better understand who may attend their Social Security Disability administrative hearing, we answer that question here.

The Administrative Law Judge

No Social Security Disability administrative law hearing is complete without the Social Security Disability administrative law judge. The administrative law judge, or often called “ALJ” by those who regularly work in the Social Security Disability field, is the decision maker who will preside over your case and determine whether to grant you Social Security Disability benefits. In other words, an ALJ in a Social Security Disability hearing acts like a judge in a civil court case. The ALJ can ask questions of witnesses (including the applicant), and may make a ruling at the hearing, or afterwards. The ALJ is required to review all the evidence and testimony before them before rendering a decision.

The Vocational Expert

The Vocational Expert (VE) is another important person who attends Social Security Administrative law hearings. The VE’s role is to testify as to whether there would be available jobs for the applicant to work, considering the applicant’s disabling impairment. It is very important to note that the VE, like the ALJ, is not on the applicant’s side. The VE’s testimony, in some cases, can make or break the case.

The Applicant’s Representative or Lawyer

Many Social Security Disability applicants in Michigan decide to work with an experienced Michigan Social Security Disability lawyer to help them obtain Social Security benefits. If you have hired a lawyer, your lawyer may represent you at the hearing. Having an experienced Michigan Social Security Disability lawyer to represent you may significantly increase your chances of obtaining benefits.

Other Potential Attendees

Other potential people that may attend a Social Security Disability hearing include medical experts and other witnesses that may help to support your case. A Michigan Social Security Disability lawyer can help identify who might be supportive witnesses to your case, which can increase your chances of getting benefits due to you.

Legal Help for Social Security Disability Applicants in Michigan

If you are in Michigan and you are seeking Social Security Disability benefits, contact the experienced Michigan Social Security Disability lawyers at Nationwide Disability Law. The experienced Social Security Disability lawyers at Nationwide Disability Law offer a free and confidential consultation to learn about your case and to see if they can represent you. Contact the experienced Social Security Disability lawyers at Nationwide Disability Law and speak to a lawyer about your case for free.