2724.Hearing

2724.1What is a hearing?

If you are not satisfied with the reconsideration determination, you may request a hearing. This is a thorough review of your record by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in the SSA Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. You, or your representative, may appear in person at a hearing. You may review the evidence used in making the determination under review and submit additional evidence. You may also present and question witnesses. See §2007.

If you are outside the United States, we will not schedule an oral hearing unless you tell us you wish to appear. If you want to travel to the United States to appear, the hearing will be held at a site nearest to your port of entry into the United States. We cannot pay your travel expenses.

If we do not hold an oral hearing, an ALJ will make a decision based on the evidence in file and any new evidence that you may submit.

2724.2How do you request a hearing?

You, or your authorized representative, must request a hearing in writing within 60 days of the date you received the notice of the reconsideration determination or decision. (See section 2721.3 for information about when we presume you received our notice.)

2724.3Where are hearings held?

SSA holds hearings in the 50 States, the District of Columbia and the Northern Mariana Islands.

2724.4What happens after the hearing?

After the hearing, the ALJ issues a decision affirming, revising or reversing the reconsidered determination. The ALJ may also certify the case with a recommended decision to the Appeals Council (see section 2725). You will be notified of the ALJ's decision and the reasons for it.