Q. When Can I Expect a Social Security Hearing?

A.
Social Security appeals can be a lengthy process, with significant waiting times between each level of appeal. It often takes several months for a decision to be made at each stage. Before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing, you will typically receive a notice four to six weeks in advance, and attending the hearing is essential unless there are exceptional circumstances preventing your attendance. The time between appeals varies from case to case, and the backlog of cases awaiting a hearing contributes to the extended timelines. While you and your lawyer may wish to expedite the process, there is limited control over the timing. Once the ALJ hearing takes place, the decision is usually rendered within a few months.