I wouldn't go that far. I am normally dressed in sweatsuits or shorts, flip flops depending on the weather.

I don't know about other states/cities, but in N.J., ALJ hearings are normally held inside of court houses or a building set up like one.

My attorney gave me a list of dos & don't in preparing me for the ALJ hearing. #1 was that YOU will be appearing in front of a JUDGE. Dress appropriately. FIRST IMPRESSIONS LAST.....







P.S. I am old school (Baby Boomer), so I know how to "dress" for court.
21st century babies who are born w/an iPhone in one ear, an iPod out the other & a computer shooting out where the sun don't shine come to court like they are auditioning for a reality show.

my hearing was in a regular office building. i dont think any in downstate new york at least are held in court houses.

i stand by my comment to be yourself. be polite of course and respectful, but dont make yourself appear to be worse than you normally are but also dont downplay the limitations you have. dressing sharply is bad advice in my opinion. first impressions do matter and if you look too good you may have shot yourself in the foot. putting up a good appearance is something that a person may be able to do for a short period of time on a particular day but not be able to do day in day out over a long period and i think that is the point

The advice I've generally seen is not to dress up as if you're going to court and not to dress too casually. A happy medium should be appropriate.

I went to two hearings. The first was your worst nightmare....it lasted all of about 15 minutes. The judge thumbed through my medical records, looked at me and said denied. He looks healthier than me.

The attorney brought up the medical records, and then said that even the social security doctor agreed about being disabled. The judge then said, he isnt accepting the medical records as evidence....denied. It was over just like that.

The second one was a bit longer, maybe 45 minutes. It was a 2 1/2 year wait to get it, but well worth the wait when you cannot work. The judge asked me what I was doing here? I didnt have an answer, so I said I cant work, and have to be here.

She smiled and said....you shouldnt be here because you got railroaded the first time. Then she asked me when did I become disabled....be honest she says. I told her in 2000 when I was hurt, but continued to try and work for another year and a half. Then she asked what date did you stop working. I told her, and she set the disability date to that date....which was a couple of years before I even applied for SSDI.

She asked everyone if they objected, and her assistant said they dont usually go past the application date, and the judge cut her off and said the date stands.

I dressed just like I do everyday....nothing special. All I can say is ......dont give up if you are truly disabled and cannot work.

I just want to take this opportunity to say Thank you to all that took the time to reply. I'm not as anxious as I was before not having any idea what to expect, THANK YOU ALL