SSDI Hearing in California: What to Expect

Receiving a denial on your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim does not mean the process is over. For most California claimants, the administrative hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) is where cases are won or lost. Understanding what happens during this hearing — and how to prepare for it — can make a critical difference in the outcome of your claim.

How the Hearing Gets Scheduled

After you request a hearing following a Reconsideration denial, your case is transferred to the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO). California has multiple OHO offices, including locations in Sacramento, Oakland, San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Jose. The Social Security Administration (SSA) typically takes anywhere from 12 to 24 months to schedule a hearing, though wait times vary significantly by office and current backlog.

You will receive a Notice of Hearing at least 75 days before your scheduled date. This notice identifies the ALJ assigned to your case, the date and time of the hearing, and whether it will be held in person or by video teleconference. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the SSA has expanded the use of video hearings significantly. In California, many hearings are still conducted remotely. You have the right to request an in-person hearing, but you must do so in writing within 30 days of receiving the notice.

Who Will Be Present at Your SSDI Hearing

The hearing is an informal, non-adversarial proceeding — but that does not mean you should treat it casually. The following individuals are typically present:

• Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): The ALJ presides over the hearing, reviews your medical evidence, and asks you questions about your condition, work history, and daily activities. Unlike a courtroom judge, the ALJ also has a duty to develop the record on your behalf.
• Vocational Expert (VE): In most SSDI hearings, SSA calls a vocational expert to testify about whether someone with your limitations can perform your past work or any other jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy. This testimony is often the turning point of a case.
• Medical Expert (ME): Sometimes, the ALJ brings in a medical expert to review your records and offer an opinion on the severity of your condition and whether you meet a listing of impairments.
• Your attorney or representative: You have the right to be represented. Studies consistently show that claimants with legal representation are significantly more likely to receive a favorable decision.

The hearing is recorded and typically lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. The SSA does not have a government attorney arguing against you — the ALJ is supposed to be neutral and thorough.

What the ALJ Will Ask You

The ALJ's questions are designed to understand the full picture of your impairments and how they affect your ability to work. You should be prepared to answer honestly and specifically about the following areas:

• Your medical conditions, diagnoses, and treatment history
• Which symptoms most limit your ability to function — pain, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, psychological symptoms
• How long you can sit, stand, walk, and lift before needing to stop
• Whether you have good days and bad days, and how often bad days occur
• Your daily activities — what you can and cannot do around the house
• Your past work, including specific duties and the physical and mental demands involved

A common mistake claimants make is minimizing their symptoms, either out of pride or a desire to appear credible. Do not describe your best day — describe your average day. ALJs are trained to identify inconsistencies, but they are also experienced at recognizing genuine suffering. Be honest, specific, and consistent with what your medical records reflect.

The Vocational Expert Testimony and Why It Matters

The vocational expert's testimony often determines the outcome. The ALJ will present the VE with a series of hypothetical questions describing a person with certain functional limitations — essentially describing you — and ask whether such a person could perform your past work or any other jobs.

Your attorney's role during this phase is crucial. A skilled representative will cross-examine the VE by introducing additional limitations that may eliminate all available jobs. For example, if you need to lie down during the workday, miss more than two days of work per month due to your condition, or are off-task more than 15 percent of the workday, these factors can erode or completely eliminate the job base the VE identifies.

In California, where the local economy includes a wide range of sedentary, light, and skilled occupations, VEs often cite jobs like document preparer, addresser, or surveillance system monitor. Your representative should be familiar with the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) and current labor market data to challenge testimony that does not reflect actual job availability.

After the Hearing: The Decision Process

Following the hearing, the ALJ typically takes 30 to 90 days to issue a written decision. The ALJ may issue a fully favorable decision (approving your claim as of your alleged onset date), a partially favorable decision (approving benefits but with a later onset date), or an unfavorable decision.

If the decision is unfavorable, you have 60 days to appeal to the Appeals Council. If the Appeals Council denies review, you may file a civil lawsuit in federal district court. In California, this means filing in one of the federal district courts — such as the Central District in Los Angeles, the Eastern District in Sacramento, or the Northern District in San Francisco — depending on where you live.

The entire SSDI appeals process is time-consuming, but it is not hopeless. ALJ approval rates in California vary by office and individual judge. Some judges approve well over 60 percent of cases; others approve fewer than 30 percent. Knowing your judge's tendencies before the hearing — including the types of medical evidence they find persuasive — can help your attorney tailor the presentation of your case.

Preparing thoroughly, gathering updated medical records, and working with a representative who understands SSA's five-step sequential evaluation process gives you the strongest possible foundation for a favorable outcome.

Need Help? If you have questions about your case, call or text 833-657-4812 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney.

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