ABA Family Legal Guide

The Rights of Older Americans

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income

Claims, Decisions, and Appeals

Who acts as the judge at these Social Security Administration (SSA) administrative hearings?

An administrative law judge of the SSA's Office of Hearings and Appeals will preside over your case. The administrative law judge is a lawyer who works for SSA but has not been involved in your claim thus far. The hearing will be a new examination of your case, conducted by an impartial judge.