Florence, ALSSA Hearing Office

The panel of 8 judges at this office shows a moderate spread in allowance rates, which range from 29% to 68% with a median of 44%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each weighs evidence differently. This variation makes it essential to build a file that is robust enough to succeed regardless of which judge presides over your hearing.

At Florence, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 7 months— versus a national average of 8 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.

Because hearings in Florence move faster than the national average, you have less time to finalize your evidence before your date is set. You should prioritize gathering updated medical records and a detailed log of your daily activities, as these are the primary tools an ALJ uses to evaluate your functional limits. During your hearing, a vocational expert will likely testify about jobs that fit your restrictions, and you will have the opportunity to question their conclusions. Ensure all witness statements and medication lists are submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute evidence is often restricted. Your final decision will arrive by mail several weeks after the hearing concludes.

Hearings at this office come up quickly, leaving little room for error once your date is set. You can anticipate the specific questions a vocational expert will ask and ensure your medical records directly address the criteria for your condition. With a panel that varies in how they interpret evidence, having a professional to pressure-test your file before you walk into the hearing room is a significant advantage.

If your hearing is at Florence, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. Field offices don't decide hearings, but they hold your file, issue benefit-payment notices, and field the day-to-day questions during your wait.