What Kinds of Questions Will I Be Asked?

Not knowing what you'll be asked is one of the biggest sources of pre-hearing anxiety, so let's take some of that mystery away right now.

Most hearings include some version of these questions:

• “Walk me through a typical day for you.”
• “How long can you sit, stand, or walk before you need a break?”
• “What happens on your bad days, versus your better days?”
• “What medications are you taking, and do they cause any side effects?”
• “Why did you stop working, specifically?”
• “Do you need help with things like cooking, cleaning, or driving?”

There are no trick questions hiding in this list. The judge simply wants an honest, clear picture of your everyday reality. A helpful approach: instead of describing feelings alone (“I'm in pain”), try adding a concrete detail (“I'm in pain, and I can't stand at the sink for more than ten minutes before I need to sit”).

Most attorneys walk through these exact questions with their clients beforehand, so that nothing on the actual day feels unfamiliar.