Questions to Expect at Your Disability Hearing

Going to a Social Security disability hearing might seem scary. However, knowing what questions the judge will ask can make you feel better and more prepared. Organizing your thoughts and facts before the hearing can help you tell your story clearly and confidently. 

Tips for answering questions

• Be specific: Provide details. Instead of saying, "I can't stand for long," say, "I can't stand for more than 10 minutes without pain."
• Ask for clarification: If you don’t understand a question, you can ask the judge to explain.
• Prepare: Think about these questions beforehand and practice your answers. You can even write notes to bring with you. 
• Be honest: Always tell the truth. The judge is there to understand your situation, not to intimidate you.

Questions to expect at your hearing

Personal details 

1. What is your name?  
2. What is your address?  
3. What is your Social Security number?  
4. How tall are you?  
5. How much do you weigh?  
6. Are you right-handed or left-handed? 

Your family 

1. Are you married?  
2. Do you have kids?  
3. What's your spouse's job?  

Your disability  

1. What issues have you been diagnosed with?   
2. Which issue impacts you most?   
3. For each condition:  
   1. When were you diagnosed?  
   2. Who diagnosed you? 
   3. What are your symptoms?  
   4. How do your combined issues affect your daily life?

Day-to-day life 

1. How do you spend your day?  
2. Do you cook?  
3. Do you do household chores? 
4. Do you grocery shop?  
5. Do you do laundry?  
6. How does your disability limit you when it comes to tasks around the house?  
7. Do you have good days and bad days?  

Ability to drive  

1. Do you have a driver's license?  
2. Can you drive?  
3. How often do you drive?  
4. Did you drive to the hearing?  

Education 

1. What is your highest level of education?  
2. Have you had any specialized job training?  

Work history 

1. Why did you leave your last full-time job?  
2. What about the job before that?  
3. What kind of jobs did you have in the last five years? 
4. Were they full-time or part-time jobs?  
5. Do you have any gaps in working? Why?  
6. If you haven't worked much or at all in the last 15 years, why not?  
7. Have you worked since you became disabled?   
8. If you have worked, how did that go? How much did you work?  
9. If you haven't worked, why haven't you been able to work?  
10. Is there any kind of work you think you can do?  
11. Why can’t you do an easy, sit-down job where you don’t have to lift much weight or interact with the public?   

Financial situation 

1. How have you supported yourself financially since you became disabled?  
2. Do you receive a pension or retirement funds?  
3. Have you gotten unemployment benefits since you became disabled?  
4. Do you manage your finances independently or do you need help?  

Medications 

1. What medications do you currently take?  
2. Do you take your medications as prescribed?  
3. Do your medications work?  
4. What other medications have you tried for your conditions?  
5. When did you first start taking each medication?  
6. Do you experience side effects from medications?  
7. Have you had periods of improvement from medications?  

Use of alcohol and non-prescription medications 

1. Do you drink? If yes, how much and how often?  
2. Do you use non-prescription drugs or street drugs, including marijuana? Have you ever used any drugs?   

Take away 

Remember, the goal of the hearing is for the judge to get a clear picture of how your disability affects your life and work. Being prepared and knowing what questions to expect can help make the process less stressful. You can find more information on preparing for a Social Security disability hearing on this page.