5-Day Deadline to Submit Evidence for Social Security Hearing
5-Day Deadline to Submit Evidence for Social Security Hearing
In early 2015, the Social Security Administration (SSA) revised rules with respect to submitting evidence to a judge overseeing your social security case. Documented evidence that claimants wish to have considered for their hearing must be submitted to the judge at least five- (5) business days ahead of their hearing. The judge at his or her sole discretion may decide whether or not documented evidence after this deadline is considered. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to submit these documents to the judge hearing your case as soon as possible. However, there are special cases where evidence submitted after this date is permissible. As disability attorneys in Tallahassee, one of the most important things we do for our clients, is to ensure the appropriate medical and vocational evidence is obtained and timely provided to the adjudicator or Administrative Law Judge determining your claim.
If the deadline set for document submission is missed, and you wish to have additional documentation considered during your hearing, you must demonstrate to the judge that at least one of the following circumstances applies to your case:
- The actions of SSA misled you
- You had a physical, mental, educational, or linguistic limitation that prevented you from submitting the evidence earlier
- Some other unusual, unexpected, or unavoidable circumstance beyond your control prevented you from submitting the evidence earlier
Likewise, if you wish to submit documentation after the deadline described above, and the documentation would dramatically alter the outcome of your social security hearing, the judge will accept the documentation if you are able to demonstrate one of the conditions listed above applies to your case. Tallahassee Social Security ODAR (the office where your disability attorney and you will have your hearing in Tallahassee) have a 19 month average wait from hearing request to hearing so it is also to get evidence submitted in a timely manner to avoid further delay.
Whether using a social security attorney or going it alone, it is always important to remember to submit required documentation outlined in the Social Security Act to the judge upon making your motion for a hearing.