I am scheduled to go to my hearing next month. Can you tell me what I can expect at the hearing? I'm a little nervous.

The hearings are fairly informal. The only people present are you, the Judge, a court reporter, vocational and/or medical experts (which experts are optional upon the judge's discretion), any witness you bring with you and your representative (should you have one). There is no jury or other individuals in the room.

Either your representative or the judge will ask you questions about your disability, how your medical or mental problems affect your ability to function, your work history, and so forth.

You will not know the judge's decision at the conclusion of the hearing unless the judge makes a "bench decision". This means that the judge feels very strongly about your evidence and wishes to award your claim right then and there at the hearing. Otherwise, it could take a month to several months after the hearing date until you receive the written determination letter from the judge.

The best advice I can give you is to be honest, direct, answer the questions consistently with all of the information that has already been provided to Social Security (which is considered evidence) and show credibility. The judge will be evaluating these things as you answer the questions. In addition to the judge considering all the evidence submitted in support of your claim, he/she will need to believe that you are telling the truth before ever considering to award your claim.