| The Maine Social Security disability claim process may | | | | testimony from a medical or vocational expert witness. |
| require several stages: | | | | Additionally, the Maine judges ask for a hearing brief |
| The first stage is the review of your initial application. | | | | from your legal representative. The hearing brief sets |
| The Social Security Administration sends your case to | | | | forth the background facts of your claim, the medical |
| a state agency in Augusta - Disability Determination | | | | evidence, and a "theory of the case" telling the judge |
| Services - to gather additional information and to make | | | | why your claim should be granted under Social |
| an initial determination on your claim. That determination | | | | Security disability rules. |
| is usually made within a three or four months. | | | | For most claimants, the ALJ hearing is the last stage |
| If your case is denied (and most claims are denied at | | | | of the process. However, if your claim is not granted |
| this stage), then you must request Reconsideration | | | | by the ALJ after a hearing, you may file an Appeals |
| within 60 days of your initial denial. Your claim is then | | | | Council Request for Review within 60 days of the |
| reevaluated, and Social Security will consider any new | | | | date of your ALJ decision. If the Appeals Council |
| evidence that is submitted. | | | | grants your request, it will remand your case for a |
| If your case is denied again (and most cases are | | | | new hearing. On rare occasions, the Appeal Council will |
| denied again at this stage, so please do not get | | | | grant a claim outright, without remanding the case back |
| discouraged), you must request a hearing before an | | | | to the ALJ. |
| Administrative Law Judge within 60 days. The | | | | If your claim has still not been granted after the |
| hearings for Maine residents are conducted at the | | | | Appeals Council stage, and you believe strongly that |
| Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) in | | | | the ALJ made an improper decision in your case, you |
| Portland, Maine. The hearings are either held in person | | | | can file suit against the SSA in U.S. District Court. The |
| or by video conference. Videoconference hearings are | | | | suit must be filed within 60 days of the Appeals |
| also held in Augusta, Bangor and Presque Isle. | | | | Council denial. In Maine, the Social Security appeals are |
| At the hearing, the judge will review the medical | | | | heard in federal court in Portland, Maine. |
| evidence, hear your testimony, and may obtain | | | | |