When faced with a denied disability claim, you have the right to appeal the decision in a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (or ALJ). However, there are essential steps of the decision-making process to consider before and after the date of your hearing, all with different statuses. Keeping track of these statuses alone can prove difficult, especially if you are dealing with a current disability. This is one of the many reasons why having professional legal representation can make all the difference.

Still, it is crucial to stay as informed as possible throughout the entire process, so you know what’s to come. So here are different statuses to expect as you progress through your disability hearing and what they mean:

• Pending folder assembly.  Your case file is under review by the ALJ and your lawyer before the hearing. This includes your medical evidence and/or work history and is organized in a folder exhibited to the judge and your representation.

• Pending ALJ assignment. The completed case file is pending assignment to an ALJ. As the SSA faces a considerable increase in initial and reconsideration disability claims, resulting in a significant backlog, this phase could take up to several months.

• Ready to schedule. Your case file has been assigned to an ALJ and is awaiting a hearing date. 

• Post-hearing development. Your disability hearing has been held before an ALJ. In this case, however, additional forms of evidence were not received or submitted. Therefore, the ALJ will keep your case in this status for a specific period until further evidence is presented.

• Post-hearing review. The ALJ reviewed the evidence in your case file to make a disability determination. Therefore, any additional evidence in your case can no longer be submitted.

• Pending decision writing. The hearing has been held, and your case file is queued to get the decision write-up. You should expect to wait up to a couple of months for a written decision.

• Decision writing process. At this point, after considering your evidence and testimony provided at the hearing, the ALJ has decided on your case. You and your attorney will receive a formal written decision in the mail, typically within 60 days.

It is important to note that some claims may not go through post-hearing development or review. However, all lawsuits go through the other steps in the decision-making process. 

It’s essential to have an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer represent you at your disability hearing. That is why the Disability Attorneys of Michigan is here for you.

Michigan Social Security Disability Experts For Your Case

When you become disabled, the last thing you need is to endure a long and complicated process to attain the benefits you deserve. That is why we at the Disability Attorneys of Michigan are here and of service to you. As Social Security Disability professionals, we have what it takes to handle your claims and appeals process for your disability benefits.  We will work tirelessly to help recover the benefits you need to thrive in our home state of Michigan. 

Have you or a loved one recently become disabled and are seeking disability benefits? We’re happy to assist you. Fill out and submit a contact form on our website or call our office toll-free at 800-949-2900 for a free consultation of your case today.