It is normal to wonder, even before your disability hearing, what to expect once you appear before the judge. While there is no way to be certain what will happen, there are a few guidelines about what to expect at the hearing and after.

A SSDI Decision Will Take Some Time To Be Rendered

First, do not expect to get a decision at your hearing. Very rarely does a claimant get a decision during the hearing. Even if you know someone who got a decision at the hearing, it does not mean you will. Some judges just have different styles than others. It is much more likely that you will have to wait three to four months for the judge to make the decision, then for the decision writers to write it, then for the judge to edit it and send it out.

Don’t Worry If You Don’t Hear Anything Right Away

Second, there is no need to worry if you do not hear from the hearing office or our office. Often, there are issues after the hearing that we are handling. If there are outstanding medical records, we will be following up on them. If there is a post-hearing memo that we can write, our post-hearing team will be writing the memo. We will let you know if there are any additional steps you need to take to help with those tasks.

Finally, do not worry about your testimony after the hearing. What was said cannot be taken back. If you really feel you need to correct your testimony, contact your case handler about what your options might be. If there is post-hearing work that we can do to help you relax as you wait for your hearing decision, we will be glad to help you.


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Status Updates & Questions

If you have questions about the status of your claim, please feel free to call Client Services or your advocate. The hearing office website provides certain post-hearing status updates from “Post Hearing Review” to “Decision Writing Process” that give us limited insight as to where your decision is in process. But these are just general information, and do not tell us what the decision is or exactly how much longer it will take. No one outside of Social Security will know what your decision is until it is mailed out. Once you get the decision, call our office so we can make sure you understand it.

About Citizens Disability, LLC:

Since 2010, Citizens Disability has been America’s premier Social Security Disability institution. Our services include helping people in applying for SSDI benefits, managing the process through Reconsideration, and representing people in person at their Hearing, and if necessary, bringing their case to the Appeals Council. Our mission is to give a voice to the millions of Americans who are disabled and unable to work, helping them receive the Social Security Disability benefits to which they may be entitled. Learn more about us and disability benefits like SSDI & SSI or give us a call (800)492-3260.


Citizens Disability is committed to helping keep people safe from fraud. We will never ask for personal details to start an SSDI application over Facebook or social media. We will only ask for certain details, in private messages, to confirm the identity of a client in a customer service situation. The only way to begin an SSDI application with us is on the phone, through a number found on our website, or one of our clearly-marked advertisements. Please keep your personal details safe, don't share them in a public forum, or with individuals who solicit your information.