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Sometimes the status of your disability claim during an appeal is that “an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) is reviewing your case.” What does this mean?
An ALJ case review means that the judge is looking at the evidence and other information in your case record. This can happen before or after your hearing as the case moves through the ALJ hearing process.
This article explains when an ALJ case review happens, what the judge is reviewing, and how to tell if you need to do something.
Now that you know an ALJ review can be before or after a hearing, look at where your case is in the ALJ hearing process to better understand the review.
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Get EvaluationThe ALJ reviews everything in your record, including medical evidence, your work history, SSA forms, prior case decisions, and testimony. The judge uses this information to decide if you meet the SSA’s disability rules, how your medical condition(s) limit your ability to work, and if you can do your past work or other work.
The judge also decides when you first met the SSA’s definition of disability to establish your disability onset date.
Before the hearing the judge reviews the case for the issues that need to be decided and any missing evidence or information. If more evidence is needed, the hearing office staff works to obtain it.
If the judge decides a medical or vocational expert opinion is needed, the hearing office staff arranges for the expert(s) to testify or provide written responses. Your SSA hearing status doesn’t correlate to how quickly your hearing is scheduled.
During the post-hearing review, the judge reviews all testimony and the evidence in your case record. If something still needs to be resolved before they decide the case, they may request more evidence or testimony or hold another hearing.
For example, if new evidence shows additional limitations that were not addressed at the hearing, the judge may ask a vocational expert if those limitations change the jobs you may be able to do.
See what the judge does during a non-medical review after a hearing.
If more information is needed during the post-hearing review, the case stays open while the hearing office waits for that evidence. The judge can also reopen the hearing record to add evidence before the decision is issued. This doesn’t mean you’ll have another hearing.
If the hearing office needs something from you, you will get an SSA notice explaining what’s needed. That could be a request for evidence or information, a form to complete, or a notice of another hearing. Each notice will also give a deadline.
If you don’t get another notice, nothing is required of you at this time.
While your case is under review, both before and after your ALJ hearing, it’s important to read every SSA notice and respond by the deadline if the SSA asks for something. Also, keep your address and phone number updated with the SSA and your representative, if you have one.
A review status doesn’t indicate that your case may be approved or denied or when you will get an ALJ decision.
Advocate’s disability specialists can help you with Social Security disability applications and appeals. We can track your case, share updates, help you understand SSA communications, and help you meet deadlines. We can also help you prepare for an ALJ hearing and represent you at the hearing.
If you need help with a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim or concurrent SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim, Advocate is here for you.
Check your SSDI eligibility in a few minutes.
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Talk with our team about your situation. We'll walk you through what comes next.
Get EvaluationSee what documents you need. We'll help you get everything in place.
Get EvaluationNot sure what that SSA letter means? We can review it with you.
Get EvaluationGet support from a team that handles the paperwork and follows through.
Get EvaluationMaybe. If the hearing office needs information or another response from you, they send a notice explaining what’s needed and the deadline for responding.
Yes. The judge may hold another hearing if more testimony or evidence is needed before they can decide the case. This is called a supplemental hearing.
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