The appeals process to request a hearing is so back logged that it takes approximately eighteen months or more for a hearing to be scheduled before the ALJ. When you receive your hearing letter it will advise you of the date and time of your hearing.

Accompanying this letter will be an acknowledgment that you must complete and return to the ALJ. This is to confirm you are aware of the date and time that has been set for your hearing and that you will be there. If you are unable to make this scheduled date, it is important that you contact the court immediately to arrange for a different date.

Before this hearing date, it is important that you review the documents contained in your file. Currently, Arkansas sends out a compact disk (CD) with copies of these documents that are contained within your file. It is important for you and your attorney to review the contents of this file to ensure all the records from your health care providers have been received. If any are missing it is important to obtain these and submit them for inclusion into your file before the hearing. In addition if you have received treating or additional diagnostic tests since you applied for SSDI, then it is also important that you gather these documents and submit them to be included within your file before the hearing.

Updating your file ensures that the ALJ has the most current information before deciding your claim.

  Social Security Disability