Hearing for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits

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Has anyone applied for SSDI benefits? I'd like some advice on the process. I've hired an attorney who specialises in these cases and I have a hearing in about a month. I'd like some info from anyone who has gone through this, if possible. Thanks.

I went through it almost 1 year ago. My hearing was held in a hotel conference room, the only way it resembled a traditional court room was that the judge was wearing the black robe, otherwise it just looked like a meeting with people sitting around tables with their laptops open. I had a non-attorney representative who made some opening statements. The judge asked him some questions then started talking to me and asking questions. It was hard to talk about some things but I was completely honest. Then he talked to the psychologist. The psychologist had previously looked over all my records and the judge asked him if I met all the qualifications as listed in the official SS blue book. He kept saying no to all the questions, meaning the evidence from my records didn't support the technical qualifications. Side note: if they had I would have been approved on original application or appeal. At this point I felt totally doomed. Then the judge asked him what kind of work I could perform. There was also a vocational rehab expert there but the judge never asked him any questions because the psychologist covered the things the judge would have asked him. Then the judge started talking to me again and said that he was the only person who could look beyond the official guidelines and look at the whole picture. Then he gave me a fully favorable bench decision, which means he approved my case and the date I claimed I became unable to work. I think most people do not get a bench decision, they usually have to wait another 1-3 months or so for a written decision because the judge wants to look at the records further or get more info. He told me there would be a review of my case in 2 years.

Don't dress up, wear your normal clothes. Talk about your worst days. If it takes you time to formulate answers in your head tell the judge you need some time to think. If you normally stim in stressful situations don't hold back. If you claimed it's difficult for you to sit still then don't sit still. Don't give them any reason to deny you. If someone claims they can't sit in a chair for more than 15 minutes but sits there for the entire hearing that WILL work against them. Don't force eye contact if you normally have bad eye contact. This is not the time to be on your very best behavior. Also, don't over dramatize anything either. You want to come across as believable.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

edited to add: Take a bottle of water or some other beverage with you ask you may be talking a lot. I wish I would have brought something. I also brought a good friend of mine who has a very calming influence on me. She had to sit behind me but it helped knowing she was there.

Thanks for your help. I am a nervous wreck over this hearing. It's taking a lot out of me, I should be a proper wreck by the time I get there, no dramatic enactments *laughs* will be neccesary. I'll need a hefty dose of lorazepam just to get me through the door....on the other hand, perhaps I should just go into the hearing and deal with my anxiety, PTSD, autism and every other damned thing wrong with me without benefit of anything to calm me down which might mask my symptoms. I might JUST do it that way, in the interests of verisimilitude.

Thanks for the advice- it's good to have the benefit of other's thinking, experience and strategising ability----makes me feel better prepared and safer, calmer. Thanks very much for your input!