March 28, 2024

The 15 Minute Social Security Disability Hearing: Good News or Big Problem?

What should you do if your Social Security disability hearing lasts only 15 minutes?  Does a short hearing mean that you won?  Does an quick hearing mean that the judge plans to deny your case?   How should you and your lawyer prepare for this rare but possible situation?

In this video I discuss the 15 minute hearing – what it likely means and how to best protect yourself if the judge is new and his/her reputation is unknown.

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Jonathan Ginsberg
About Jonathan Ginsberg

Jonathan Ginsberg represents clients in disability claims filed with the Social Security Administration.

Would you like your Social Security disability question answered on Jonathan's podcast?  Record your question for Jonathan directly from your computer.

Comments

  1. Albert Seymore says

    What can I do to get my back pay that was with held by the local field office after I was awarded a Fully Favorable decision by a Administrative Law Judge What right does the field office have. the field office with held my back pay for allege over payment that was reduced by the DMS and the Judge stating I did nothing wrong so the allege over payment was reduced to zero but because the field office is the writer it has made it own decision over ruling the decision or ruling by the Offices of Disability Hearing and Review Law Judge its been five years and I still fighting. How can this happen what right does the field office supervisor have disobeying the court order over ruling a Judge I though the Judge`s decision is binding

  2. Hello Jonathan,
    Recently had my hearing before the ALJ he issued a continuance in order for me to get Dr’s notes for all of my visits. How long typically will I have to wait to be rescheduled he didn’t say and is this a good thing?
    Thank you in advance, Cheryl.

    • Jonathan Ginsberg says

      Cheryl, it depends on the workload at your local hearing office. Here in Atlanta, it would usually take about 3 or 4 months to get back on the calendar but what I would do is this – once I had the missing records I would let the judge know that I would be available at any time if there were last minute cancellations and an open spot on the calendar. Whenever I do this, I’m able to get back into court within 2 to 4 weeks. JCG

  3. Wow, glad I saw this! I would’ve panicked if my hearing only lasted a few minutes. But it’s a relief that it’s usually a good sign to get a short hearing. How common is it for cases to go that way, to be very short because the judge doesn’t believe there’s an argument to be made against the case?

  4. hi Johnathan your videos helped me alot when it came to having some inside tips before my hearing. i was a mess but i had a good hearing (judge was nice and i answered all questions) she only asked the VE about 3 questons and my hearing went about 20 mins. her and my lawyer are waiting on a few final records from my treating physician but i have about two years of solid med records and MRIs included, the ortho just needs to send clinicals. i guess that could have more of an impact but to you does this case sound good? thanks very much. also my judge was saying how well my case was presented by my lawyer is that a really common thing?

  5. I have my hearing 2 days ago my attorney wasn’t ready for my case he was making notes right there in there when we were in court in front of the judge his appearance long hair chewing gum messed up a appearance for an attorney my court in front of the judge he not even bring my files lasts only 10 to 15 minutes but I’m the one who bring the files with me because I make copies at home and put everything in files

  6. Thank you for the videos. My hearing was yesterday and lasted about an hour. The judge stated several times what a good lawyer I had? Also the VE said No when asked if I could do my previous job. He listed some that were available, but then made caveats (?), and gave a numbering system? 1-8 and he said 8 was his number, and pointed out all the jobs he listed required significant interaction with others (anxiety, etc are some of my issues). (They noted that they had already determined I could not do physical work, so this was to see about a desk job, which is what I had been doing and the VE said No when asked uf I could do that job still.)

    The judge also asked my lawyer to stay for a minute or two once we were done, I waited outside. She seemed happy with how things went.

    I’m hoping those are all good signs?

  7. I had a 15 minute hearing here in Nevada and my lawyer said it was a good and bad but she enphasized good. The Voc expert had nothing to say. Is that good. Also my lawyer asked the questions only . My lawyer also knew the judge very well. Does that mean I will get SSD and my back pay.

  8. Tanya Johnson says

    Gosh I wished I could talk to you! Very helpful video.
    I had my hearing on December the 7th 2016 with the administrative law judge we were in there for a total of 5 minutes the judge said he was awarding in my case, that it would go back to my last date of employment which was 4 years ago. And was awarding on my Vision and depression. The few questions that he did ask he asked my daughter and not the lawyer and they we’re to verify dates, he ask the VE if by the evidence could I obtain gainfull employment. She replied no Sir. He then Thanked everyone for coming. And we were done. It have been well over 5 months now and still no letter from SSI, when I call they say it is showing pending? What does it sound like to you , was the decision favorable for me and does it normally take this long before I receive written notice? Thank you in advance. Any feedback that you would have in this matter would be greatly appreciated

  9. JACINTA Johnson says

    I handled my own hearing. I had the first hearing in January. They sent me to a nerve doctor and then rescheduled another hearing. It lasted 15 minutes. The dr that was in there only looked at my age and could not deny the the back issues . The VE listed named only one profession that I could do. The other two jobs were too strenuous for my restrictions. The judge asked the VE if I would be successful at the job he suggested and his response was no with her pain restrictions. I had no lawyer. He also asked if I could afford the medical devices prescibed. I told him not if the insurance does not cover it. Do you think this could play in my favor ?

  10. Edwina Montgomery says

    Good morning. My Husband has had his hearing 6 months ago and now the judge wants him to come back in to get some questions answered. My concern is that this time our attorney has advised us that this time there will be a medical expert there. I am concerned that it will not go well now. Before he requested us to come back in the judge told the attorney he was going to rule in his favor but had additional questions about his pain management doctor. My husband suffers from PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety. The first hearing he had a severe anxiety attack and I worry what will happen if he is turned down tomorrow.

    Thanks
    Concerned in Kentucky

  11. Cheryl Wright says

    My ssi alj hearing only lasted about 10 minutes. I also have a lawyer that is also a licensed nurse. The judge only asked me about 5 questions and then said he didn’t see a need to go any further and I’d have a decision in 30 days. My lawyer asked or said nothing
    I’m assuming the writer was the other man sitting at the table with his computer opened. Me and the judge were the only ones that spoke during the hearing. Its pending a decision writer at this time. Went to alj hearing in Memphis on Aug 29th. Is this a good or bad thing how short it was and lawyer never spoke.? Praying I get approved oh and it went through a hearing review as well. So nervous.

  12. Cheryl Wright says

    Only the judge asked me a few questions their was no other ppl their saying I was able to do some kind of work . I have a lawyer only lasted about 10 minutes good or bad sign?

  13. Hello I when to my ALJ hearing on 9/26/17 and my hearing was about 15min and he look over my paper and he ask the VE some questions and she wrote them down and said no sir and the judge said this hearing is over with do that sounds good or bad about my case

  14. i had my second attempt in trying to receive my SSDI, i represented myself this time. the Odar judge gave his job examples the V.E. gave only two choices of sedentary work one was eliminated to too lack of skill set, the second was eliminated do to special health requirements to be able to receive Gainful employment , it sounded favorable, judge told me i would receive notice in 4 or 5 weeks that feels like a denial notice kinda scared, the physical evidence has never been in question, also noted my little job that does not provide gainful employment or room to advance. i feel it was approved wife feel like i was not approved, this time the judge just stay with medical evidence presented, where as before the judge asked a lot of personal questions

  15. Melissa Ward says

    Kinda helped my anxiety a bit seeing this video. Had a hearing on the 12th of last month. More of a conversation between the judge and I more like it. Not many questions. More like he was getting to know me a little better. A few things he said made me ease up a bit. He seemed a bit irritated when he found out that my SSI checks were stopped through this whole process to where I had to rely on someone to support me that I dont get along to well with that makes my disability much worse. He did list a loooooong list of hypothetical to the VE, which the VE named off 3 jobs which kinda contradicted some of the the main things I can not do per doctors words. Then judge asked about 8 hours the VE said No. The judge asked about 5 hours the VE said No. And that was end of it. Was rather a quick session. He didnt let me know one way or another but this video kinda eased my anxiety. Thank you.

  16. Hi, I had my hearing today. The VE said I could do my last job but I would need an adjustment period and extensive training, as well as, accommodations because I cannot use my left hand. So to save myself time and stress, can I safely assume that I will be denied? I am advanced aged. I asked my attorney that was with me, his response was that it went good. The attorney was a new person that I had never met, and he never challenged the VE, that I was on pain meds. Can I safely assume that I lost my case?

  17. My hearing lasted around 20 minutes, the Judge was only on the job for two weeks and was very nice. The VE said I could no longer do my type of work ( Construction ) She said there were a couple of office jobs I could do, but when my lawyer questioned her about with them being cubicle type office jobs as one was clerical and the other a call center wold there be room for me to stretch out and prop my legs up 6 or more inches under the desk “since i’m stage 3 heart disease and blockages in my femoral aerie as well as blockage on my left heart artery and a blood clot in my heart for two and a half years”. The VE stated she did not believe that would be possible. The Judge said I wish you the best of luck when we were done. After we walk out, my layer said she thought it went very well.

  18. I went to my hearing the judge asked for my check stubs for the past three yrs,She said my counselor had down I was a manager at my work,which is wrong I talked alot about my manager that we didnt get along to my counselor she must misunderstood me,So I assumed the judge wanted to see my check stubs to see if it said I was a manager,I guess you would call the person the VE that list if u can or can’t work,Does it mean good or bad she said the only job I can do is sort through peanuts theres no such job where I live to do that but I was told if they find you work you will be denied so does that mean that.

    • Jonathan Ginsberg says

      If the VE can identify simple, entry-level jobs you could do despite your medical issues then you would not be considered “disabled” and your case will be denied.

  19. Britney Byrd says

    Hello, if the judge did not ask the VE a question at all, is that a good sign? Also, it has been a month and a half since my hearing and I called to check on the decision, and they told me that the decision has been made, but I was in line to have it typed up into a legal document. I am confused and just wondering if these are good signs?

    • Jonathan Ginsberg says

      Usually if the judge asks no questions to the VE, it means that you have either won because the evidence was compelling, or that you have lost because the evidence was extremely weak.

  20. Robert Stifflemire says

    Hello i had a hearing on the 1-2-2019 could not make due to car trouble on way they got me back in on 1-24-2019 and the hearing lasted 20 mins judge asked very few questions of the VE and was in a good mood speaking to me (joking around) the VE did state no jobs i could do when my lawyer asked as all judge asked was work history and not if i could still do them besides having one of the top ranked lawyers in my state i watched your youtube channel so i could gain insight without bugging my lawyer keep up the good work.

  21. Mr. Ginsberg:

    I dont expect you to answer this publicly, but I’d urge you to consider trying to get appointed as an ALJ. You’re very knowledgable and seem very level headed and objective in your videos. You might be the type attorney who has no interest in switching roles, but if you ever do then I’d urge you to look into it. If it’s something you like then you’d definitely be a benefit to the bench.

    Have a great evening!

    • Jonathan Ginsberg says

      I have discussed this with several sitting judges and they recommend against it – apparently the working conditions, salary and benefits have been reduced and the workload increased.

  22. Mr. Ginsberg I appreciate your videos there informing. I just want to ask one question I had my Hearing the VE only mention one job it was a Mail Sorter I don’t remember all the questions the judge asked the VE but the last question was say if we have hypothetical person who would be absent minimum 1 time a month can this person work at this job the VE said no he cant. My Lawyer only asked one question of the VE I was kind of confused would that be a good sign or a bad sign. THANKYOU

    • Jonathan Ginsberg says

      If a judge is using a 1 day per week missed work and adopts that as his finding about your residual functional capacity, it sounds like a good sign to me. Often a lawyer does not have to ask many or even any questions if the judge’s question prompts the answer “no jobs.”

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