There is good news for social security recipients who don't like traveling long distances to attend a hearing. In-person hearings are coming back to the Hudson Valley.

Tzippora Miller of Pearl River said the Social Security Administration erroneously sent her a letter in May with several pieces of bad news.

"My disability benefits were revoked," she said, adding that the letter also stated she over-collected benefits to the tune of $93,000.

She would have preferred to appeal such a serious matter in-person, before a judge and close to her home.

That option went away in February when the White Plains hearing office was shut down. The closure forced clients to drive for hours to attend their hearings or to attend hearings virtually.

The SSA says less than 10% of all clients choose to appeal in person.

Miller wanted that choice.

"I think it's really wonderful for the community and people in the town that really need it," she said. "It's very easy access. This should have happened before."

Rep. Mike Lawler's office is helping Miller with her case and trying to make the appeals process easier for others, especially those who are less internet-savvy.

Lawler and Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano announced Friday morning that a judge will soon start hearing appeals in a new space at the West Nyack Social Security office.

"It's a practical common-sense solution that preserves access for the people who need it most while eliminating unnecessary costs," Lawler said during a press conference outside the office.

During a visit to the hearing room, Lawler and Bisignano said their teams collaborated for months to furnish the hearing room with desks, chairs and monitors.

"It was a great call by the congressman to say, 'Hey, can you help on this?'" Bisignano said. "The great leadership team here executed flawlessly, and that's fabulous."

Bisignano said a mock hearing was held in the hearing room on Wednesday and actual appeals hearings will begin in mid-November.