What Happens If You Miss Your Hearing?

If you fail to appear at your SSDI hearing and do not contact the hearing office in advance, the judge may:

• Dismiss your request for a hearing, effectively ending your claim
• Issue an unfavorable decision based on the available written record only
• Reschedule your hearing, but only under specific circumstances

Valid Reasons for Missing a Hearing

The Social Security Administration (SSA) understands that emergencies happen. If you miss your hearing, you’ll need to prove you had a good cause. Acceptable reasons may include:

• A medical emergency (e.g., hospitalization)
• Severe illness or injury
• Unexpected transportation issues (like a breakdown or accident)
• Death or emergency involving a close family member
• Not receiving proper notice of the hearing date

Make sure you explain your reason in detail and provide documentation when possible.

How to Request a Rescheduled Hearing

If you miss your hearing, act quickly. You generally have 10 days to explain why you didn’t attend and request the hearing to be rescheduled. You can:

• Call the hearing office immediately
• Submit a written explanation along with supporting evidence
• Request representation, if you don’t already have an SSDI attorney

If the judge agrees that you had good cause, a new hearing may be scheduled.

What If the Judge Denies My Explanation?

If the judge finds you didn’t have good cause, they may dismiss your claim. However, you still have the right to:

• Request a review by the Appeals Council
• Reapply for SSDI, though this starts the process over
• Consult a disability lawyer to explore other legal options