Where Your Hearing Takes Place and Who Decides
If you have a Social Security hearing scheduled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, it will be heard by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who works for the Social Security Administration. The judge is not a federal court judge—that is a different step that comes only if you disagree with the ALJ's decision and decide to appeal further.
Your hearing may take place in person at the Social Security office in Pittsburgh, or by video conference from your home or your representative's office. The judge will have your entire case file in front of them, including your medical records, work history, and any statements you or your doctor have submitted.
The ALJ's job is to listen to your testimony, review the evidence, and decide whether you meet Social Security's definition of disability. This is not a criminal trial. You are not on trial. The judge is trying to understand whether your condition prevents you from working.
Key Takeaways
- An ALJ hearing in Pittsburgh is held by a Social Security judge, not a federal court, and decides whether you meet the definition of disability.
- You can attend in person at the Pittsburgh Social Security office or by video from home, and you have the right to bring a representative.
- The judge will ask you about your medical conditions, your daily activities, and what work you have done in the past.
- After the hearing, the judge issues a written decision that explains their reasoning and tells you whether you have been approved or denied.
- If you disagree with the ALJ's decision, you can appeal to the Appeals Council, which is a separate step before any federal court involvement.
What to Expect During the Hearing Itself
The hearing usually lasts between 20 minutes and an hour. The judge will swear you in and ask you questions about your medical conditions, your symptoms, how they affect your daily life, and what kinds of work you have done. Be honest and specific. If you cannot remember something, say so. Do not guess.
If you have a representative—a lawyer or non-lawyer advocate—they will also ask you questions and may present evidence on your behalf. The judge may also call a vocational informed, who is a witness hired to testify about whether someone with your age, education, and work history could do other jobs despite your conditions.
You do not need to prove you are disabled beyond any doubt. Social Security's standard is whether your condition prevents you from doing substantial work. That means work that pays more than a certain amount per month (the amount changes each year) and requires significant physical or mental effort.
Documents You Should Bring or Have Ready
Bring photo identification and your Social Security card. If you are attending in person, bring any medical records or test results you have that are not already in your file. If you are attending by video, have these documents nearby so you can reference them if the judge asks.
You should also bring a list of all your doctors and medical providers, with their names, addresses, and phone numbers. If you have been to the hospital, had surgery, or received mental health treatment, bring dates and the names of the facilities. The judge may ask about gaps in your medical treatment, so be prepared to explain why you did or did not see a doctor during certain periods.
If you take medications, bring the bottles or a list showing the name of each medication, the dose, and how often you take it. The judge will want to know what side effects you experience and how they affect your ability to work.
How the Judge Makes a Decision
After the hearing, the ALJ writes a decision. This decision explains what the judge found to be true, what the medical evidence shows, and whether you meet Social Security's definition of disability. The judge must address your testimony and explain why they did or did not believe you.
The decision will say either that you are approved for benefits, that you are denied, or (rarely) that the case is sent back for more information. You will receive a copy in the mail, usually within a few weeks to a few months.
If you are approved, the decision will state the date your benefits begin. If you are denied, the decision will explain the reason and tell you how to appeal to the Appeals Council. You have 60 days from the date you receive the decision to file an appeal.
What Happens If You Disagree With the Decision
If the ALJ denies your claim, you can request review by the Appeals Council, which is part of Social Security, not a federal court. The Appeals Council looks at whether the ALJ followed the rules correctly and whether the decision is supported by the evidence. You do not attend another hearing unless the Appeals Council decides to hold one.
If the Appeals Council denies your request for review or upholds the ALJ's denial, you can then file a civil action in federal district court. In Pittsburgh, that would be the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. At that point, you would typically need a lawyer, because federal court has different rules and procedures.
Federal court does not hold new hearings or take new evidence. Instead, a judge reviews the written record from your ALJ hearing and decides whether Social Security followed the law and whether the decision is supported by substantial evidence in the record.
Preparing Yourself Before the Hearing
Meet with your representative before the hearing if you have one. Go over what the judge will ask and what your answers should be. If you do not have a representative, consider getting one. Many disability lawyers work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay if you win and nothing if you lose.
Write down a timeline of your medical treatment: when you were diagnosed, when you saw doctors, what tests you had, and what the results showed. Write down how your conditions affect you on a typical day—how far you can walk, how long you can sit, whether you have pain, whether you have memory problems, whether you have anxiety or depression. Be specific and honest.
The night before the hearing, get a good night's sleep. Eat a normal meal before you go. Wear clean, neat clothes. Arrive early so you are not rushed. If you are attending by video, test your internet connection and camera beforehand.
Pittsburgh-Specific Information
Social Security ALJ hearings in Pittsburgh are held at the Social Security office located at 1000 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. If your hearing is scheduled there, allow extra time for parking and finding the office. The office is accessible by public transportation via the Port Authority of Allegheny County.
If you are attending by video, you will receive instructions by mail telling you how to join the video conference. You will need a computer or tablet with a camera and microphone, and a stable internet connection. If you do not have these, contact Social Security before your hearing date to discuss alternatives.
The hearing will be conducted in English. If you need an interpreter, request one when you receive your hearing notice. Social Security will provide an interpreter at no cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring someone with me to the hearing?
Yes. You can bring a representative—a lawyer or non-lawyer advocate—and you can also bring a family member or friend for support. However, only you and your representative will be allowed to speak during the hearing. Family members and friends must sit quietly and cannot answer questions for you.
What if I cannot attend the hearing on the scheduled date?
Contact Social Security as soon as possible and ask to reschedule. You must request the reschedule before the hearing date. If you miss a hearing without requesting a reschedule beforehand, the ALJ may dismiss your case, and you will have to start over.
Will the judge believe my testimony if I don't have recent medical records?
The judge will consider your testimony, but gaps in medical treatment can hurt your case. If you have not seen a doctor recently, the judge may assume your condition has improved. If you cannot afford medical care, tell the judge that. Some judges will consider it; others will not. This is one reason having a representative helps.
How long does it take to get a decision after the hearing?
Most decisions come within two to four months, but some take longer. The judge's office will mail your decision to you. You do not need to call or check online—wait for the written decision in the mail.
What is a vocational informed and why are they at my hearing?
A vocational informed is a witness who testifies about jobs in the economy and whether someone with your age, education, work history, and limitations could perform those jobs. The judge uses this testimony to decide whether you can do other work besides your past job.