North Carolina Social Security Disability Hearings Lawyer

If you are a North Carolina resident and unable to work due to a physical or mental disability, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. However, the hoops you must jump through to obtain these benefits can be overwhelming, especially during the hearing stage.

If your initial application has been denied or you need to appeal a subsequent decision, a Social Security Disability hearing may be necessary to get the money you need. At Pilzer Klein, our attorney will prepare you for your hearing and gather the medical evidence you need to support your claim.

Reach out to our North Carolina Social Security Disability lawyer today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Why Choose Us for Your Social Security Disability Hearing?

Our experienced disability attorney understands clients’ challenges when seeking disability benefits. We are committed to providing our clients with personalized attention and effective representation throughout the process.

We have a proven track record of success in helping clients obtain their benefits, and we will fight tirelessly on your behalf to ensure that you receive the benefits you are entitled to.

Here’s what makes us different from other disability advocates:

• Responsive legal care: You’ll work directly with your lawyer and case manager from day one, and your attorney will meet with you well in advance of the hearing.
• Representation from an experienced disability attorney: Not all disability advocates are qualified lawyers. With Pilzer Klein, you get a licensed attorney who is prepared to take your disability claim all the way to federal court.
• Local expertise: Unlike national disability firms, we have extensive experience with the local Social Security offices, judges, and healthcare providers in North Carolina.
• Contingency-fee payment structure: You won’t pay anything unless we win your case.
• Evidence collection: We gather all medical evidence for you and take steps to reduce the costs of obtaining that evidence. 
• Consultative evaluation requests: We request consultative evaluations from the Social Security Administration (SSA) whenever appropriate.
• Medicare assistance: Once your case is resolved, getting the most out of Medicare can save you thousands. We help you navigate the complexities of Medicare and maximize your benefits.

What To Expect at a Social Security Disability Hearing

The date of your Social Security Disability hearing may be approaching, and it’s understandable to be apprehensive. After all, you and your family have a lot at stake.

Having our attorney prepare your claim and explain what to expect during the proceedings will help ease your mind during this challenging time.

The Purpose of the Hearing and Who Will Be There

The hearing will involve an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) reviewing your case. Since the ALJ was not involved in the previous denials of your claim, the hearing is a new opportunity to receive consideration for benefits.

Your official witnesses will be there with you and your lawyer. However, the hearing will not be open to the public.

The hearing is a formal proceeding conducted based on established protocol. Witnesses will testify, evidence will be presented, and a court reporter will transcribe it all.

Questions To Expect

After explaining the details of your case, the ALJ will likely ask you questions to establish key facts. You will be under oath when questioned, so your answers must be honest and accurate.

Along with pointed questions intended to ascertain the severity of your condition, the judge will ask for basic information like your name, age, weight, and height.

The objective is to establish whether your condition makes you eligible for benefits. In addition, the judge will also question a medical professional and a vocational expert from the SSA.

The judge will inquire about your overall health and whether your illness prevents you from performing your duties at your previous job. They will also ask whether there are available jobs you could do with your disability.

Presenting Your Case

After the administrative law judge has finished questioning you, it’s time to present your case. You may testify, and your attorney can call witnesses to testify on your behalf. Witnesses can include family members, close friends, employers, co-workers, or anyone else who can provide relevant information.

Your attorney will question the witnesses, including experts.

Your lawyer will also present medical evidence and other documentation that supports your claim. This may include physician notes, records of hospital stays, laboratory test results, physical or mental therapy evaluations, and other relevant records. At some point, you and your attorney will have the chance to explain your current predicament.

After considering the testimony and evidence, the ALJ will decide whether to grant your benefits. Then, you and your attorney must wait for the judge to mail you the decision in writing.

After the Social Security Disability Hearing

After a Social Security Disability hearing in North Carolina, the judge may decide to investigate further before making a final determination. This could include gathering additional evidence on the claimant’s medical condition or interviewing additional witnesses.

Sometimes, the judge may order a medical or psychological evaluation by an independent expert. The judge will then make a determination based on all of the available evidence and testimony.

Whatever the judge decides in your case will be communicated to you in writing. If the ALJ rules in your favor, the written notice will explain the benefits you have been awarded.

Your payments will not begin until at least five months after approval. If your claim is denied, your attorney will help you with your next steps.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With a Skilled Attorney

If you have an upcoming Social Security Disability hearing in North Carolina, you don’t have to face it alone. Our experienced Social Security Disability attorney is here to help you through the hearing and appeals process. At Pilzer Klein, we will fight relentlessly to ensure you receive the benefits you need.

Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and learn how we can assist you with your hearing.