(ALJ) – the judge that will preside over your Social Security Disability hearing.

if you are denied benefits, you have 60 days to file a Request for Hearing or Request for Reconsideration, both of which are types of appeal.

if you are denied benefits at your hearing by an Administrative Law Judge, this is the next level of appeals. The Appeals Council can determine if the ALJ made an error and can award, deny, or send your claim back to the ALJ for reconsideration. Expect to wait 9-30 months after your Hearing for a decision from the Appeals Council.

when your benefits are ended for either a medical or non-medical reason.

the person applying for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits.

a time period in the past of at least 12 months when you were disabled and qualified for benefits. Benefits may be awarded for a closed period if you were disabled, but have since been able to return to work.

(CE) – an examination by a doctor required and paid for by Social Security to evaluate your medical disability claim.

(COLA) – as the cost of living increases, SSI and SSD benefits may be increased each year by the Social Security Administration. In 2012, the COLA was a 3.6% increase from 2011.

this is the date that the credits earned toward Social Security Disability run out, and depends entirely on your work history and payment of FICA taxes toward Social Security. You must be found disabled before this date in order to qualify for SSD benefits.

(DDS) – the state agency that determines eligibility for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits at both the application and reconsideration stages.