COVID-19, General, Online Services

Hearings with the Social Security Administration During COVID-19

January 21, 2021 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: March 17, 2021

Hearings with the Social Security Administration During COVID-19In March 2020, we temporarily closed all of our Social Security Hearing Offices due to the Coronavirus pandemic and are not offering in-person hearings. During the office closures, we are providing two flexible, safe, and secure hearing options: either a telephone hearing or our new option of an online video hearing.

Additional information on both of these hearing options is available here.

What are online video hearings?

Online video hearings are a secure way to conduct hearings over the internet, using a free platform called Microsoft Teams. You and your representative, if you have one, can attend the online video hearing safely and securely from any private place with a secure internet connection using a camera-enabled smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Like our telephone hearings option, the online video hearings option is not mandatory. We will conduct online video hearings the same way we conduct telephone and in-person hearings. During the hearing, the administrative law judge (ALJ) will swear in all hearing participants and listen to your testimony. You will see the ALJ and representative, if one has been appointed. Other participants, such as vocational/medical experts and interpreters, will join by phone.

What are the technology requirements to participate in an online video hearing?

You and an appointed representative, if applicable, must have access to email and a personal computer, laptop, or Android/Apple tablet or mobile device with a secure and private, high-speed Wi-Fi or cellular data connection. The device must have a camera, microphone, and speakers. If using a mobile device, you must download the free Microsoft Teams application.

We will send you a link to a user guide that explains how to access and use Microsoft Teams before the date of an online video hearing.

Please read our publication Online Video Hearings at the Social Security Administration for additional information. You can also watch a short video about online video hearings is available here.

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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

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Comments

  1. Rita P.

    There any way I can do is translate interpret sign language for hearing

  2. David N.

    My fiance David crisp needs to know a update on his case so we can know what to do

  3. D L.

    Is it true that the judges get a bonus for every unfavorable decisions that they make

  4. mary m.

    I am 63 still working and collecting social security got taken off of work because of the corona can I get unemployment

  5. Teresa J.

    When will we get our w2s forms ?

  6. Joyce D.

    When are you going to mail out are w-2 “s forms for filing are taxes? Thankyou

    • V.V.

      Hi Joyce. A Social Security 1099 is mailed out each January to people who receive benefits and tells you how much Social Security income to report to the IRS on your tax return. A replacement SSA-1099 for 2020 will be available after February 1, 2021. At that time, you can instantly download a printable copy of the tax form by logging in to or creating a free my Social Security account. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for additional information.

  7. Patricia w.

    I adopted my 2 grandsons January 2020 but have had them in foster care since 2017 I filled out nonfilers on them and they sent me a code and I’m not getting stimulas for them

    • V.V.

      Hi Patricia, thanks for using our blog. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), not Social Security, issues the Economic Income Payments. Social Security cannot answer EIP questions about your specific situation. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for more details. We hope this helps.

  8. Janice A.

    I need to go in the office.I want to sign up for benefits on ex spouse sis.We were married 14 years and had a child. Since 2019 I haven’t been able to work. Medical disable please let me know when I can get in.

    • V.V.

      Thanks for using our blog, Janice. If you are divorced, you can receive benefits based on your ex-spouse’s record (even if they have remarried) if:

      – Your marriage lasted 10 years or longer.
      – You’re unmarried.
      – You’re age 62 or older.
      – The benefit that you’re entitled to receive based on your own work is less than the benefit you would receive based on your ex-spouse’s work.
      – Your ex-spouse is entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits.

      Check out our Benefits For Your Divorced Spouse web page for more information.

      To inquire about potential benefits on your ex-spouse’s record, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  9. Claude A.

    When can I get the hearing test on line?

  10. Jonathan J.

    jjohnson8528@yahoo.com

    • Joy P.

      I NEED YALL TO FINISH EAT YALL NEED TO IT BEEN OVER A YEAR NOW.I WANT TO KNOW WHAT’S THE PROBLEM

    • Antonio M.

      22

Comments are closed.