Where to Check Your ALJ Hearing Status

You can check the status of your ALJ hearing through my Social Security, the official online portal run by the Social Security Administration. Log in with your username and password, go to "My Cases," and you will see any pending or scheduled hearings listed there. The page shows your hearing date, time, and location if one has been set.

If you do not have a my Social Security account, you can create one at ssa.gov using your email address and a phone number where Social Security can reach you. You will need to verify your identity through a one-time code sent to your phone or email. Once your account is active, you can check your case status anytime, day or night.

If you have not received a hearing date yet, my Social Security will show your case as "pending" and may display an estimated timeframe for when the ALJ office expects to schedule you. This timeframe varies widely by region — some offices schedule hearings within 6 to 12 months, while others take 18 months or longer.

Key Takeaways

  • My Social Security is the official place to check your ALJ hearing status, and you can log in anytime to see your hearing date, time, and location.
  • If you do not have a my Social Security account, you can create one free at ssa.gov using your email and phone number.
  • Your case will show as "pending" if no hearing date has been set yet, and the page may display an estimated scheduling timeframe.
  • You can also call the ALJ office that is handling your case directly, though wait times are often long and staff may have limited information to share.

What Information My Social Security Shows You

My Social Security displays your case number, the name of the ALJ office assigned to your case, and whether your hearing has been scheduled. If a date and time have been set, you will see those details on the same page. The portal also shows the address where you are expected to appear — either in person or by videoconference, depending on how the ALJ office is handling your case.

The status page does not show you the ALJ's reasoning, any documents the office has received, or whether your representative has filed anything new. For that level of detail, you will need to contact your representative directly or call the ALJ office. My Social Security is designed to answer one question: when and where is your hearing?

Calling the ALJ Office Directly

If you cannot find your case on my Social Security or need more detail than the portal provides, you can call the ALJ office handling your case. The phone number appears in any letters Social Security has sent you about your hearing request. You can also find your regional ALJ office on ssa.gov by searching for "Office of Hearings Operations" and your state.

Be prepared for long hold times — many ALJ offices receive hundreds of calls per day and have limited staff. When you reach someone, have your Social Security number ready. Staff can tell you whether your case has been scheduled, when the hearing is set for, and whether any documents are missing from your file. They cannot tell you what the ALJ is thinking or predict the outcome.

If you have a representative — a lawyer or non-lawyer advocate — they can also call the ALJ office on your behalf and often get through faster because they have a direct line. If you do not have a representative but are thinking about hiring one, ask whether they charge a fee upfront or only if you win.

Understanding Hearing Status Labels

Social Security uses a few standard labels on my Social Security to describe where your case stands. "Pending" means the ALJ office has received your request but has not yet scheduled a hearing date. "Scheduled" means a date and time have been set and you should prepare to appear. "Closed" means the ALJ has issued a decision, and you can view the decision document itself through my Social Security or by requesting it from the ALJ office.

If your case shows as "pending" for longer than you expected, that does not mean something has gone wrong — it usually means the ALJ office is working through a backlog. Hearing wait times are set by the office, not by individual case factors. Some offices prioritize cases where the claimant is older or has a terminal illness, but most work through cases in the order they arrived.

What to Do If You Cannot Find Your Case Online

If you log into my Social Security and do not see your case listed under "My Cases," it may mean your request for a hearing has not yet been entered into the system. This can happen if you recently submitted your request and the office has not processed it yet — that can take two to four weeks. It can also happen if you are looking at the wrong account, such as a spouse's account instead of your own.

Double-check that you are logged into the correct my Social Security account — the one tied to the Social Security number for which you requested the hearing. If you are certain you are in the right account and your case still does not appear, call the ALJ office directly or contact your representative. They can confirm whether your request was received and when you can expect to see it online.

Preparing for Your Hearing Once You Know the Date

Once you see your hearing date on my Social Security, write it down and mark it on your calendar. Check whether the notice says you should appear in person or by videoconference — videoconference hearings have become common, and the ALJ office will send you a link or call-in number closer to the date. If you are appearing in person, confirm the address and plan for travel time and parking.

If you have a representative, they should contact the ALJ office to confirm they will be appearing with you. If you do not have a representative and are thinking about hiring one, do it soon — some representatives need time to review your file before the hearing. You can find representatives through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) or by asking your local legal aid office for a referral.

Gather any new medical records, work history, or other documents that support your case and give them to your representative or bring them to the hearing. The ALJ will have your original process file, but anything you add helps. Make a list of questions you want to ask your doctor or other witnesses if the ALJ calls them during the hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I check my status online?

You can check anytime, but there is no need to check more than once a month unless you are very close to an expected hearing date. The ALJ office updates my Social Security when a hearing is scheduled, but the update may take a few days to appear. If you are within a month of your estimated scheduling window, checking weekly makes sense.

Will my status change if I submit new medical evidence?

No. My Social Security shows only whether your hearing has been scheduled, not whether new documents have been received or reviewed. If you submit new evidence, call your representative or the ALJ office to confirm it arrived. The ALJ will consider it at your hearing regardless of whether the portal reflects it.

What if my hearing date is wrong on my Social Security account?

Contact the ALJ office when ready with your case number and Social Security number. Dates can be entered incorrectly, and you need to know the correct time and location. Your representative can also call to verify. Do not assume the online date is wrong without confirming — it is usually accurate.

Can I reschedule my hearing if I see the date and cannot make it?

You can request a postponement, but the ALJ office may deny it depending on how close the hearing is and why you need to move it. Contact your representative or the ALJ office as soon as you know you cannot attend. The sooner you ask, the more likely they are to grant it.

What happens after my hearing is over?

The ALJ will issue a written decision, usually within a few weeks to a few months. You will receive it by mail, and it will also appear on my Social Security under "My Cases" once it is finalized. If you disagree with the decision, you have 60 days to file an appeal with the Appeals Council.