Administrative Law Judge

The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) is the official who will determine if a claimant is eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if the disability case has been denied at the application and reconsideration levels. Decisions are made according to the disability rules and guidelines established by the Social Security Administration.

The Administrative Law Judge will hear testimony from the claimant, job's expert, medical expert and the claimant's disability attorney or representative during the Social Security Disability hearing. After all evidence is submitted to the court the judge will make a disability determination for the claimant.

The Administrative Law Judge is part of the SSA Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) and travels to Administrative Hearings across the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. Disabled claimants statistically have the greatest chance of winning their Social Security Disability benefits at the hearing level of the Social Security Disability process. It is important to attend your disability hearing in person.