If your SSDI or SSI hearing has been scheduled, it is possible
that your case will be one of those in which Social Security conducts the
hearing via video. You might be
wondering what such hearings are like and how best to prepare for it. Here are some tips, as well as some important
information on what to expect from your video hearing.
The best way to be mentally prepared for this type of hearing, is
to understand that the technology used in these types of proceedings is very similar
to the technology used when conducting conversations via skype. Therefore, you should think of your video
hearing as if it were a skype interview conducted by the judge.
In a video hearing you will
be able to see all the participants in a really large T.V. screen. The administrative judge stays in his or
her office, while you sit in a room that is close to your residence. A technician hired by the Social Security
Administration is present at all video hearing to assure that the equipment
works properly. Except for the
equipment, a video hearing is no different than a hearing at which
you appear in person. Video hearings are
very common in remote areas of the country where it is difficult for Social
Security claimants and their lawyers to be present directly in front of the
judge.
The number of video hearings is currently on the raise. It is estimated that in fiscal year 2013 the
SSA conducted 179,308 video hearings.
This is more than twice the number of video hearings conducted in
2009. Often an appearance by video hearing
can be scheduled faster than an in-person appearance. For this reason, it is estimated that the use of video technology has helped
considerably in decreasing the backlog of pending claims.
