Advantages and Disadvantages of Video Hearings

If you have a medical condition that impacts your ability to work, you may be eligible to receive disability benefits. The Social Security Administration, or SSA, denies the majority of disability applications that the SSA receives. However, an Ocala disability lawyer will help you appeal a disability denial. If you appeal a Social Security disability benefit denial, you can request an Administrative Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, or ALJ. In most Administrative Hearings, the claimant appears before the ALJ in person to explain to the ALJ why the claimant should receive disability benefits. However, the SSA encourages claimants to conduct their disability hearings by video.

A video hearing has both advantages and disadvantages. Generally, claimants, ALJs, and experts do not favor video hearings. This is because there is a perceived benefit to being able to talk to an ALJ in person. During an in-person Administrative Hearing, the claimant appears as a real person, in contrast to a name listed on a disability application or someone appearing remotely by video. In contrast, the SSA likes video hearings because the video hearing is more efficient and can save both time and money. In addition, a claimant will usually not have to wait as long to receive an Administrative Hearing if the claimant agrees to a video hearing.

If the claimant objects to a video hearing, the ALJ will change the date and time of the disability hearing to a time and place that the claimant will be available for an in person disability hearing. Therefore, if you and your Ocala disability lawyer are uncomfortable with a video hearing, you do not have to participate in one. However, if an expert does not wish to appear by video hearing, the ALJ will not extend the same rescheduling to accommodate an in-person hearing for experts. Unless a rare circumstance exists, the ALJ is not likely to grant an in-person hearing request by an expert. Therefore, an expert may be stuck appearing by video hearing only.

An experienced Ocala disability lawyer will be able to help you decide whether a video hearing is the best option in your case.  If you are not already represented by an Ocala disability lawyer, contact CJ Henry today for a free initial consultation.