I-5-4-71.Padro et al. v. Colvin

Attachment 1. Padro Settlement and Order; Approved by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on October 18, 2013.

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

WHEREAS, Plaintiffs are applicants for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits and/or Supplemental Security Income payments based on disability. On April 12, 2011, Plaintiffs, on behalf of a putative class, filed against the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) a Complaint alleging that five Administrative Law Judges (“ALJs”) in SSA's Queens Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (“ODAR”) have exhibited “general bias” against claimants for disability benefits. On May 4, 2011, Plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint in this action (hereinafter referred to as “the Case”), which added three named plaintiffs and supplemented the allegations;

WHEREAS, the Commissioner of Social Security expressly denies any wrongdoing, as alleged in the Case or otherwise, and does not admit or concede any actual or potential fault, wrongdoing or liability in connection with any facts or claims that have been or could have been alleged in the Case. Nonetheless, the Commissioner considers it desirable to settle the Case on the terms set forth in this Settlement Agreement;

WHEREAS, Plaintiffs and the Commissioner of Social Security (collectively “the Parties”) wish to avoid further litigation in this matter and to bring the Case to a close, and have determined to settle the Case, including all claims that Plaintiffs, the proposed Class (as defined below), and the members of that Class have brought or could have brought in the Case;

WHEREAS, the purpose of this Settlement Agreement is to make a full, complete, and final resolution of all claims and causes of action that have been or could have been asserted in the Case against the Commissioner by the Plaintiffs, the proposed Class (as defined below), and the members of that Class arising out of the conduct alleged therein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in reliance on the mutual promises, covenants, releases, and obligations as set out in this Settlement Agreement, and for good and valuable consideration, the Parties hereby stipulate and agree to resolve all claims that were or could have been at issue in this Case as follows:

I. DEFINITIONS

As used in this Settlement Agreement:

1. The terms “ALJ” and “an administrative law judge” refer to an individual appointed in accordance with 5 U.S.C. § 3105, who conducts hearings and makes decisions on claims for disability benefits as provided in 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.929 and 416.1429.

2. The term “Appeals Council” refers to the component of SSA's Office of Disability Adjudication and Review that, under direct delegation from the Commissioner of Social Security, provides the final level of administrative review for claims filed under Titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”).

3. The term “Class member” refers to an individual who meets the criteria set forth in section II.

4. The term “days” means calendar days.

5. The “date the Class member receives” a notice refers to the date five (5) days after the date on the notice, unless the Class member can show that he or she received the notice later.

6. The “date of final approval” refers to the date on which an order granting approval of this Settlement Agreement is entered, via the Electronic Case Filing System of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, on the docket of this Case.

7. The “date on which the Settlement becomes effective” refers to the date as of which no timely appeals may be taken from the Court's order granting approval of this Settlement Agreement, and as of which any and all appeals of such an order have been resolved.

8. The term “good cause” means good cause as used in 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.911 and 416.1411.

9. The term “Named ALJs” refers to the administrative law judges identified in the Amended Complaint as Michael D. Cofresi, Seymour Fier, Marilyn P. Hoppenfeld, David Z. Nisnewitz, and Hazel C. Strauss.

10. The term “Noticing Party” refers to a Party seeking enforcement of section III pursuant to the provisions in section V.

11. The term “Plaintiffs” refers to Lorraine Padro, Sarah Rodriguez, Dhanasar Raman, Toby Marlow as court-appointed guardian for Judith Blumensohn, Carmen Duran, John Edwards, Julia Juan, and Jane Doe.

12. The term “Post-Settlement Claim” refers to a claim for disability benefits under Titles II and/or XVI of the Act that is the predicate for a decision that forms the basis for prospective relief as described in paragraph III.B.1 of this Agreement.

13. The term “Responding Party” refers to the party from whom enforcement is sought pursuant to the provisions in section V.

14. The term “Retrospective Claim” refers to a claim for disability benefits under Titles II and/or XVI of the Act that is the predicate for an ALJ decision that forms the basis for retrospective relief, as described in paragraph III.A.1 of this Agreement.

15. The terms “section” and “paragraph” refer to the numbered and lettered parts of this Settlement Agreement.

16. The terms “unfavorable decision” and “partially favorable decision” refer to decisions by an ALJ, in which the ALJ finds either that a claimant is not entitled to disability benefits (unfavorable decision) or is not entitled to all of the disability benefits sought in the underlying claim (partially favorable decision). The terms “unfavorable decision after court remand” and “partially favorable decision after court remand” refer to an “unfavorable decision” or “partially favorable decision” that is issued after a claim is remanded by a federal court for further consideration, as provided in 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.984, 416.1484. The Parties agree that an order of dismissal under 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.957, 416.1457 will not be considered an “unfavorable decision” or a “partially favorable decision” when determining whether an individual is eligible for relief under the Settlement Agreement.

17. The terms “unfavorable Post-Settlement Decision” and “partially favorable Post- Settlement Decision” refer to an unfavorable or partially favorable ALJ decision that forms the basis for a Class member's eligibility for prospective relief as described in paragraph III.B.1 of this Agreement. An “unfavorable Post- Settlement Decision” is a decision described in paragraph III.B.1(a) and a “partially favorable Post-Settlement Decision” is a decision described in paragraph III.B.1(b).

II. CLASS

1. Class Defined: The Parties agree to the certification by the Court upon Plaintiffs' motion, for purposes of this Settlement Agreement only, of a plaintiff class (hereinafter referred to as “the Class”) defined as follows: all claimants for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits and/or Supplemental Security Income payments based on disability who, during the period beginning January 1, 2008 and ending thirty (30) months after the date of final approval of the Settlement Agreement, have been or will be issued an unfavorable or partially favorable decision on a claim for disability benefits under Title II or Title XVI of the Act from any of the five Named ALJs and who also meet the criteria for relief set forth in section III below.

2. Rule 23(b)(2) class: The Parties agree, for purposes of this Settlement Agreement only, to certification of the Class pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(b)(2). Upon certification of the Class by the Court and as of the date on which the Settlement becomes effective, all Class members eligible for relief who are not given the right by this Settlement Agreement (including its attachments) to opt out of the terms of this Settlement Agreement, and all those who are given the right to opt out who do not opt out, are bound by the terms of the Settlement Agreement.

III. INDIVIDUAL RELIEF

1. Retrospective Relief

   1. Eligibility for Retrospective Relief: A Class member eligible for retrospective relief is someone who, during the period from January 1, 2008 through the date of final approval of the Settlement Agreement, was issued an unfavorable or partially favorable decision on the merits of a claim for disability benefits under Title II or Title XVI of the Act by any of the Named ALJs, provided that the exceptions in paragraphs III.A.1(a) through III.A.1(d) do not apply. The ALJ decision will not entitle the individual to retrospective relief if:

      a) a United States District Court affirmed the ALJ decision described in paragraph III.A.1, above, in an order as to which no motion under Rule 59 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure is pending with the Court as of the date on which the Settlement becomes effective; or

      b) a United States District Court remanded the claim described in paragraph III.A.1, above, in an order that expressly declined to reassign such remanded claim to a different ALJ, and as to which no motion under Rule 59 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure is pending with the Court as of the date on which the Settlement becomes effective; or

      c) the potential Class member has already been found eligible for all benefits for which he or she could be eligible pursuant to the claim described in paragraph III.A.1, above; or

      d) the claim described in paragraph III.A.1, above, has either: (i) already been readjudicated by an ALJ other than a Named ALJ, or (ii) is pending readjudication by an ALJ other than a Named ALJ at the time of the potential Class member's request for relief.

   2. Retrospective Relief -- Readjudication: Each Class member who is eligible for retrospective relief will be entitled to readjudication of his or her Retrospective Claim, provided the Class member requests this relief within the time limit set forth in paragraph III.A.3, below. Readjudication shall be conducted by an ALJ other than a Named ALJ, or may be provided by an attorney advisor or the Appeals Council in accordance with existing SSA rules and regulations. If a claim to be readjudicated has been remanded by the Appeals Council and is pending before a Named ALJ at the time of the Class member's request for readjudication, the claim shall be reassigned. If the Class member has another claim pending either at the Appeals Council or before an ALJ other than a Named ALJ, or has more than one Retrospective Claim, SSA may consolidate all such claims for any given claimant and review them simultaneously, provided that this would not cause unreasonable delay. A Class member eligible for retrospective relief: shall have the right to appeal any new hearing decision received pursuant to this Settlement Agreement, as set forth in 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) and its implementing regulations; and shall have the right to withdraw the claim to the extent provided by applicable SSA rules and regulations.

   3. Retrospective Relief -- Time to Request Readjudication: A Class member eligible for retrospective relief must affirmatively request readjudication within sixty (60) days after the date the Class member receives the notice informing him or her of his or her right to relief (described herein as “Notice A”), using the procedures described in that notice, unless the Class member can demonstrate that this deadline was missed for good cause.

   4. Notice of Retrospective Relief (“Notice A”): Notice A shall advise Class members eligible for retrospective relief that, as a result of the Settlement Agreement, they may request readjudication of Retrospective Claims. Further, Notice A shall inform Class members eligible for retrospective relief that in order to obtain this readjudication, they must affirmatively opt for readjudication within sixty (60) days after the date the Class member receives Notice A. Notice A shall also set forth the procedures Class members must follow to obtain readjudication. Notice A shall provide contact information for Class counsel. SSA shall send Notice A within sixty (60) days after the date on which the Settlement becomes effective by first class mail to: the last known address in SSA's records for each Class member eligible for retrospective relief; and the Class member's appointed representative, if any such representative is identified in SSA's records. SSA shall bear the cost of Notice A. SSA shall provide Class counsel with a list of the names and addresses to which Notice A was mailed; in the event that any Notice A mailings are returned to SSA as undeliverable, the list will identify the mailings that were returned to SSA as undeliverable. This list shall be considered Confidential Information pursuant to section VI, below. Attached to this Settlement Agreement is Notice A (Exh. A), the language of which has been agreed to by the Parties and the terms of which are incorporated into this Agreement. Personal information such as a Class member's address, appropriate field office, and similar information, will be included by SSA in Notice A. The bracketed dates and website address will be added prior to mailing.

2. Prospective Relief

   1. Eligibility for Prospective Relief: A Class member eligible for prospective relief is someone who:

      a) During the thirty (30) month period beginning on the day after the date of final approval of the Settlement Agreement, is issued an unfavorable decision on a claim for disability benefits under Title II or Title XVI of the Act by any of the Named ALJs; or

      b) During the thirty (30) month period beginning on the day after the date of final approval of the Settlement Agreement, is issued a partially favorable decision on a claim for disability benefits under Title II or Title XVI of the Act by any of the Named ALJs, and either requests Appeals Council review of that decision or (if the decision is a partially favorable decision after court remand) files written exceptions or proceeds with a civil action seeking review of that decision.

   2. Prospective Relief -- Appeals Council Review: SSA's Office of Disability Adjudication and Review, Office of Appellate Operations, will assign specified Staff (hereinafter referred to as “Staff”) to review Class members' unfavorable and partially favorable Post- Settlement Decisions as follows:

      a) The Staff shall report through normal supervisory chains and ultimately to the Executive Director of the Office of Appellate Operations, Office of Disability Adjudication and Review.

      b) The Staff shall consider requests for review or written exceptions (as appropriate) filed by Class members eligible for prospective relief who appeal from unfavorable or partially favorable Post-Settlement Decisions, or who are deemed to have filed an appeal or written exceptions regarding an unfavorable Post-Settlement Decision as provided in paragraph III.B.2(c).

      c) If, as of sixty five (65) days after the date an unfavorable Post-Settlement Decision is issued, a Class member eligible for prospective relief has not requested Appeals Council review of that Decision, the Class member shall be deemed to have requested Appeals Council review under 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.967, 416.1467; or, alternately, if the Post-Settlement Decision is an unfavorable decision after court remand, the Class member will be deemed to have filed written exceptions as provided in 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.984, 416.1484 on the day the decision is issued, but shall be given an opportunity to withdraw these exceptions or to submit additional written exceptions.

   3. Prospective Relief -- Standards for Review of Claims and Related Rights: The Staff will consider a Class member's Post-Settlement Claim to determine whether the ALJ decision is legally sufficient, or contains an error of law or abuse of discretion, including but not limited to an error related to (1) evaluating treating source opinions, (2) assessing credibility, (3) developing the record, and (4) conducting hearings. The Staff will use the standards ordinarily applicable to requests for review under 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.967, 416.1467; will consider whether there is a basis to grant the request for review under the regulatory criteria set forth at 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.970, 416.1470; and will take appropriate action in accordance with those regulations; except that if the Post-Settlement Decision is a decision after court remand, the Staff will consider exceptions as provided under 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.984, 416.1484; and will take appropriate action in accordance with those regulations. A Class member shall have the right to withdraw such a claim to the extent provided by applicable SSA rules and regulations.

   4. Prospective Relief -- Rehearing before New ALJ: If a Post-Settlement Claim is remanded for a new hearing, the hearing after remand shall be conducted by an ALJ other than a Named ALJ. If the Post-Settlement Claim is appealed more than once, any subsequent hearings after remand shall be assigned in accordance with ordinary agency procedures, except that no subsequent hearings regarding such Claim may be conducted before a Named ALJ. Pursuant to existing SSA rules and regulations, readjudication may also be provided by an attorney advisor or the Appeals Council.

   5. Notices of Prospective Relief (“Notice B” and “Notice C”): Notice B shall be sent to each claimant for disability benefits who is issued an unfavorable Post-Settlement Decision, except that a modified version of Notice B (attached hereto as Notice B – Decision After Court Remand) shall be sent to each claimant for disability benefits who is issued an unfavorable decision after court remand. Both versions of Notice B shall advise such claimant: that, as a result of the Settlement Agreement, any request for administrative review of an unfavorable Post-Settlement Decision will be directed to Staff at the Appeals Council; that, if a Post-Settlement Claim is remanded for a new hearing, the hearing after remand will be conducted by an ALJ other than a Named ALJ; and that the claimant may opt out of the terms of this Agreement but, if he or she wishes to opt out, he or she must do so in a manner specified in Notice B either at the time of his or her request for further administrative review or within sixty (60) days after the date the Class member receives Notice B. Notice B will further advise the claimant that, if he or she does not request review by the Appeals Council within sixty five (65) days after the date an unfavorable Post-Settlement Decision is issued, he or she will be deemed to have made such a request; while the modified version of Notice B will advise that a claimant who receives an unfavorable decision after court remand will be deemed to have filed written exceptions regarding that decision on the day the decision is issued, but will be given an opportunity to withdraw those exceptions or to submit additional written exceptions.

      Notice C shall be sent to each claimant for disability benefits who is issued a partially favorable Post-Settlement Decision, except that a modified version of Notice C (attached hereto as Notice C – Decision After Court Remand) shall be sent to each claimant for disability benefits who is issued a partially favorable decision after court remand. Both versions of Notice C shall advise such claimant that: as a result of the Settlement Agreement, any request for administrative review of a partially favorable Post-Settlement Decision shall be directed to Staff at the Appeals Council; and any subsequent hearings will be heard by an ALJ other than a Named ALJ. Notice C shall further advise that: in order to obtain relief under this Settlement Agreement, the claimant must seek further administrative or court review of his or her claim; and he or she may opt out of the terms of this Agreement but, if he or she wishes to do so, he or she must do so in a manner specified in Notice C either at the time of his or her request for further administrative review or within sixty (60) days after the date the Class member receives Notice C.

      SSA shall send Notice B and/or Notice C, as appropriate, at the same time an unfavorable or partially favorable Post-Settlement Decision is mailed to the claimant. The notice will be sent to the same address or addresses as the decision, and may be sent in the same manner and in the same envelope as the decision. SSA shall bear the cost of Notice B and Notice C. Attached to this Settlement Agreement are Notice B and Notice C (Exhs. B & C), the language of which has been agreed to by the Parties and the terms of which are incorporated into this Agreement. Personal information such as a Class member's address, appropriate field office, and similar information, will be included by SSA in Notice B and Notice C. The bracketed dates and website address will be added prior to mailing. Additional language will be included if required by law or internal procedures applicable to the issuance of hearing decisions.

3. Establishing the Right to Retrospective or Prospective Relief: If SSA learns of an individual who may be entitled to relief as a Class member under this Settlement Agreement but who did not receive Notice A, B, or C, or if an individual contacts SSA and claims to be entitled to relief as a Class member under this Settlement Agreement but did not receive Notice A, B, or C, SSA shall review available records to determine whether the individual meets the requirements for retrospective or prospective relief, and shall determine within a reasonable time whether the individual is eligible. If SSA determines that such an individual is entitled to relief, SSA shall issue Notice D, a copy of which is attached (Exh. D), and the language of which has been agreed to by the Parties and the terms of which are incorporated into this Agreement. If the individual is entitled to prospective relief, SSA may alternately resend Notice B or Notice C as appropriate. Personal information such as a Class member's address, appropriate field office, and similar information, will be included by SSA in Notice D, and the bracketed website address will be added prior to mailing. If SSA determines that the individual is not entitled to relief, SSA shall notify the individual in writing of the reason for the determination.

IV. OTHER RELIEF

1. SSR: SSA shall issue a Social Security Ruling (“SSR”) regarding agency procedures for addressing allegations of an unfair ALJ hearing, ALJ bias, and ALJ misconduct. Plaintiffs agree that they will not have an opportunity to review the SSR prior to its publication in the Federal Register and that SSA makes no commitment to issue the SSR by a date certain.

2. Training: In calendar year 2012 or 2013, SSA shall conduct (and may already have conducted by the time of approval of this Settlement Agreement) training programs designed to instruct experienced ALJs on the following issues: (1) evaluating treating source opinions; (2) assessing credibility; (3) developing the record; and (4) conducting hearings. SSA retains discretion to determine the timing and content of the training provided in such training programs, as well as which among its ALJs will be required to participate. SSA shall also provide mentors for experienced ALJs. Such mentors will be available to ALJs as a resource with respect to the substantive issues covered in the training described above, and also to provide feedback to the ALJs on the manner in which their decisions reflect the issues covered in the training. SSA retains discretion to determine the roles and responsibilities of such mentors, as well as which among its ALJs will be required to consult with a mentor. Nothing in this agreement shall preclude SSA from exercising its discretion in pursuing any training and/or mentoring it deems appropriate.

V. ENFORCEMENT

The Court shall not retain jurisdiction over this action after the date on which the Settlement becomes effective, except with respect to the enforcement of section III, and such jurisdiction will be only as set forth in this section V. Specifically, a Party may seek enforcement only of the paragraphs listed herein, and only as follows:

1. A Noticing Party may not seek enforcement (or review of any kind) regarding the composition of the Staff which has been assigned pursuant to paragraph III.B.2.

2. A Noticing Party seeking enforcement of any term in section III shall serve on the Responding Party a written notice that describes the alleged breach or violation with particularity. Such notice must include the following: (a) an identification of the term(s) that has allegedly been violated; (b) a description of the specific errors or omissions upon which the alleged violation is based; and (c) a description of the corrective action sought. Such notice must be served within a reasonable time, but not to exceed sixty (60) days, after the Noticing Party becomes aware, or reasonably should have become aware, of a potential violation. If the alleged breach relates to a decision or Class membership determination regarding an individual Class member, notice must be served within sixty (60) days from the date of any contested decision or Class membership determination, unless the Noticing Party can demonstrate that the deadline was missed for good cause.

3. Within forty-five (45) days of the Responding Party's receipt of a written notice of breach or violation, counsel for the Noticing and Responding Parties will meet and confer, and otherwise begin to address the allegation. The Noticing and Responding Parties shall make their best efforts to resolve any and all allegations of breach or violation without the Court's involvement. If requested to do so, the Noticing Party shall provide to the Responding Party any discoverable information and materials reasonably available to the Noticing Party that constitutes evidence of the alleged breach or violation.

4. If the Responding Party fails to respond to a notice of breach or violation within forty-five (45) days, or the Noticing and Responding Parties otherwise cannot resolve the issue or issues raised in that notice, the Noticing Party may move for enforcement as early as seventy-five (75) days after the date on which the notice was served, but no later than one hundred thirty-five (135) days after the date on which the notice was served, unless the Parties otherwise agree in writing. The Parties agree that any such motion for enforcement shall not include a request that any Party or non-party be held in contempt.

5. Except to his or her counsel, the Noticing Party shall not disclose the allegation of a breach or violation to the Court or to any individual or party other than the Responding Party unless: (a) at least seventy-five (75) days have passed since the written notice was submitted to the Responding Party; and (b) the Noticing Party and the Responding Party have not agreed on corrective action pursuant to the process specified above.

VI. PRESERVATION OF CONFIDENTIALITY

The provisions set forth in the November 15, 2011 Stipulation and Order for the Protection of Confidential Documents and Testimony shall remain in effect with regard to all further proceedings relating to this Settlement Agreement, and with regard to any Confidential Information (as that term is defined in the November 15, 2011 Stipulation and Order) disclosed pursuant to this Settlement Agreement.

VII. PROCEDURES FOR APPROVAL OF SETTLEMENT

1. Preliminary approval: Following its execution, the Parties shall promptly present the Settlement Agreement to the Court with a request that the Court preliminarily approve the Settlement Agreement. The Parties shall further request that upon such preliminary approval the Court will schedule a hearing pursuant to Rule 23(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (hereinafter referred to as the “Fairness Hearing”), after which the Court will determine whether to grant its final approval of the Settlement Agreement. At the same time, Plaintiffs will move for certification of the Class defined above, with such Certification being for the purposes of this Settlement Agreement only and being conditional upon final approval of this Settlement Agreement.

2. Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement and Fairness Hearing: Within thirty (30) days after the date on which the Court preliminarily approves the Settlement Agreement, SSA will mail a Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement and Fairness Hearing (“Notice E”) (Exh. E), the language of which has been agreed to by the Parties, or such other notice as is ordered by the Court. Notice E contains a brief description of the claims advanced by Plaintiffs and the Commissioner's denial of liability for such claims, a summary of the terms of the proposed settlement, and information regarding the upcoming Fairness Hearing. SSA will send such notice to each individual for whom, during the period from January 1, 2008 until the date on which the notices are prepared, a Named ALJ issued an unfavorable or partially favorable decision on a claim for disability benefits under Title II or Title XVI of the Act. The notice will be sent by first class mail to the last known address shown in SSA's records for each such individual, as well as to the individual's appointed representative, if any such representative is identified in SSA's records. SSA shall bear the cost of such notice.

VIII. PUBLICATION

Within ten (10) days after the date on which the Court preliminarily approves the Settlement Agreement, SSA shall: (i) deliver for publication a copy of Notice E, or such other notice as ordered by the Court, to two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the New York Metropolitan area with instructions that the Notice be published at least once per week for three (3) successive weeks as a one-eighth (1/8^th) page advertisement; (ii) post a copy of Notice E, or such other notice as ordered by the Court, on its official public website, www.socialsecurity.gov; and (iii) post a copy of Notice E, or such other notice as ordered by the Court, in the Queens ODAR.

IX. DISMISSAL AND SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

Plaintiffs agree to the dismissal of the Case with prejudice under Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 41(a)(1) and 23(e), subject to the terms of the Settlement Agreement and to the Court's continuing jurisdiction as set forth in section V. In accordance with the terms of this Settlement Agreement, Plaintiffs will move for dismissal of the Case with prejudice to be effective on the date of final approval of this Settlement Agreement.

X. RELEASES

Plaintiffs, the members of the Class defined above, and their heirs, administrators, representatives, attorneys, successors, and assigns, and each of them hereby RELEASE, WAIVE, ACQUIT, and FOREVER DISCHARGE the United States and the Commissioner from, and are hereby FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED from prosecuting, any and all claims, causes of action, or requests for any injunctive and/or monetary and/or any other form of relief, including, but not limited to, damages, tax payments, debt relief, costs, attorneys' fees, expenses, and/or interest, whether presently known or unknown, that have been or could have been asserted in the Case by reason of, with respect to, in connection with, or which arise out of, any matters alleged in the Case. The Parties agree that the terms of this section are not designed otherwise to interfere with the rights of Plaintiffs, the members of the Class defined above, and their heirs, administrators, representatives, attorneys, successors, and assigns under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) and its implementing regulations.

XI. NO ADMISSION OF LIABILITY

1. Neither this Settlement Agreement nor any order approving it constitutes an admission by the Commissioner and/or the United States of the truth of any allegation or the validity of any claim asserted in the Case, or of the liability of the Commissioner and/or the United States, nor a concession or an admission of any fault or omission of any act or failure to act, or of any statement, written document, or report heretofore issued, filed or made by the Commissioner and/or the United States.

2. Neither this Settlement Agreement nor any confidential papers related to the Agreement and created for settlement purposes only, nor any of the terms of either, may be offered or received as evidence of discrimination or unfair treatment in any civil, criminal, or administrative action or proceeding, nor shall they be the subject of any discovery or construed by anyone for any purpose whatsoever as an admission or presumption of any wrongdoing on the part of the Commissioner and/or the United States, or as an admission by any Party to this Settlement Agreement that the consideration to be given under the terms of this Agreement represents the relief that could have been recovered after trial.

XII. DUTIES CONSISTENT WITH LAW AND REGULATIONS

Nothing contained in this Settlement Agreement shall impose on the Commissioner and/or the United States any duty, obligation, or requirement, the performance of which would be inconsistent with law, as set forth in federal statutes, federal regulations, or elsewhere in effect at the time of such performance.

XIII. INTEGRATION

This Settlement Agreement and its Exhibits constitute the entire agreement of the Parties, and no prior statement, representation, or agreement that is not contained herein, will have any force or effect.

XIV. MODIFICATION

This Settlement Agreement may be modified with the written agreement of the Parties and with the approval of the District Court, upon such notice to the Class, if any, as the District Court may require.

XV. DUTY TO DEFEND

The Parties to this Settlement Agreement shall defend against any challenges to it in any forum.

XVI. SEVERABILITY

Should any non-material provision of this Settlement Agreement be found by a court to be invalid or unenforceable, then (A) the validity of other provisions of this Settlement Agreement shall not be affected or impaired, and (B) such provisions shall be enforced to the maximum extent possible.

XVII. CONDITIONS THAT RENDER SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT VOID OR VOIDABLE

This Settlement Agreement shall be void if it is disapproved at any stage by the Court and/or if the Court denies the motion for dismissal mentioned in section IX above.

XVIII. EFFECT OF SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT IF VOIDED

1. Should this Settlement Agreement become void after its execution, the Commissioner will not object to reinstatement of this action in the same posture and form as it was pending as of the date of execution of this Agreement.

2. All negotiations in connection herewith, and all statements made by the Parties at or submitted to the District Court during the Fairness Hearing shall be without prejudice to the Parties to this Settlement Agreement and shall not be deemed or construed to be an admission by a Party of any fact, matter, or proposition.

3. The Commissioner retains all defenses, arguments, and motions as to all claims that have been or might later be asserted in the Case, and nothing in this Settlement Agreement shall be raised or construed by any Plaintiffs, Class members, or Plaintiffs' counsel, to defeat or limit any defenses, arguments, or motions asserted by the Commissioner. Neither this Settlement Agreement, nor the fact of its having been made, nor any exhibit or other document prepared in connection with this Settlement Agreement, shall be admissible, entered into evidence, or used in any form or manner in discovery in the Case or in any other action or proceeding for any purpose inconsistent with Rule 408 of the Federal Rules of Evidence.

4. The provisions set forth in section XI will apply even if the Settlement Agreement is otherwise rendered void.

XIX. ATTORNEY FEES

1. The Parties agree that the amount of $125,000 will be paid to Plaintiffs' counsel the Urban Justice Center, as attorney fees. Those funds are the only funds to be paid by the Commissioner and/or the United States under this Settlement Agreement and/or otherwise in connection with this action (aside from any payments made to cover the costs associated with Notices A, B, C, D, and E as set forth above). Plaintiffs' counsel Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has agreed to waive additional fees incurred in connection with this action.

2. Within seven (7) calendar days of the date on which the Settlement becomes effective, Plaintiffs' counsel will notify the Commissioner and the Commissioner's counsel in writing of the identity of the account and bank designated for the deposit of funds, and will provide any necessary tax reporting information as well as all information necessary and appropriate to direct any and all deposits provided for in this Settlement Agreement.

3. Upon receipt of the information described in paragraph B above, the Commissioner shall promptly complete any intra-governmental forms and documentation that are required from SSA in order to issue payment.

XX. COUNTERPARTS

This Settlement Agreement may be executed in counterparts. All executed counterparts and each of them shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.

XXI. WARRANTY

Plaintiffs' counsel and the Commissioner's counsel warrant that they are authorized to stipulate to settlement of the Case in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Settlement Agreement.

Attachment 1A. Notice A – Notice of Retrospective Relief and Response Form

Social Security Administration

Important Information

Notice of Padro et al. v. Colvin Class Action Settlement
And 60 Day Deadline to Ask for a New Hearing and Decision

You May Be Eligible For A New Hearing And Decision On Your Disability Claim – Please Mail Us The Enclosed Form Within 60 Days After You Get This Notice

Our records show that you received an unfavorable or partially favorable decision between January 1, 2008 and October 18, 2013, on a claim for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits and/or Supplemental Security Income. Your decision was issued by one of the following five Administrative Law Judges (ALJs): Michael D. Cofresi, Seymour Fier, Marilyn P. Hoppenfeld, David Z. Nisnewitz, and Hazel C. Strauss, at the Queens, New York Office of Disability Adjudication and Review.

On October 18, 2013, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York approved a settlement in the class-action lawsuit Padro et al. v. Colvin. This lawsuit challenged unfavorable and partially favorable decisions on claims for disability benefits made by the ALJs named above.

Because of the settlement, you may be eligible for a new hearing and decision on your claim. The new decision would be made by an ALJ who is not one of the ALJs named above or, in certain circumstances, by an attorney advisor or the Appeals Council.

You may be eligible for a new hearing and decision unless:

• You appealed the decision you received from one of the ALJs named above to a United States District Court, and:

  • The United States District Court affirmed the ALJ's decision, and you did not have a motion to alter or amend the Court's judgment pending as of December 18, 2013; or

  • The United States District Court remanded your claim, the Court's order said the claim did not need to be assigned to a different ALJ, and you did not have a motion to alter or amend the Court's judgment pending as of December 18, 2013; or

• You were already found eligible for all benefits for which you could be eligible based on the claim decided by one of the ALJs named above; or

• You already received a new decision on your claim by an ALJ who is not an ALJ named above; or

• The claim decided by one of the ALJs named above is pending with a different ALJ (other than the five ALJs named above) at the time you return the enclosed form.

This notice explains what you must do if you want a new hearing and decision on the disability claim that one of the ALJs named above decided between January 1, 2008 and October 18, 2013.

How To Ask for A New Hearing and Decision

To ask for a new hearing and decision, you must fill out the enclosed request form. You must do this even if you have appealed your decision to the Appeals Council.

You must mail the enclosed form back to us within 60 days after you get this notice. We will assume that you got the notice 5 days after the date of the notice, unless you show that you got the notice later. We have included an envelope for you to use.

If you do not respond within 60 days, you may lose your chance for a new hearing and decision. We will not consider a late request unless you show you had a good reason for not responding in time.

What We Will Do If You Ask For A New Hearing And Decision

If you send back the form, we will check to see if you are eligible for relief under the settlement.

If you are eligible, and an appeal of your claim is pending in a United States District Court, we will contact you, or your attorney if you have one.

If you are eligible, and you do not have an appeal pending in a United States District Court, we will write to tell you that we are sending your claim to an ALJ for a new hearing and decision. The new decision will be made by an ALJ who is not one of the five named above or, in certain circumstances, by an attorney advisor or the Appeals Council.

If you are not eligible for a new hearing and decision, we will send you a notice that tells you why.

If You Have Any Questions

If you have any questions about this notice, please visit or call your local Social Security office, or call Social Security's toll-free phone number at 1-800-772-1213. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please use our TTY number at 1-800-325-0778.

More information about the Padro et al. v. Colvin settlement is also available on our website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/padrosettlement/. If you call or visit an office, please have this letter with you. It will help us answer your questions.

If a representative was helping you with your claim for disability benefits, you should contact that person to let him or her know about this notice. If we have information about your representative, we will send that person a copy of this notice. That person's name will also be listed below.

You can also contact the Urban Justice Center, the lawyers who brought the Padro et al. v. Colvin lawsuit, by writing to them at Urban Justice Center, Padro Class Counsel, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 3363, New York, NY 10008-3363, or calling them at (646) 459-3068.

Enclosure(s):

Padro et al. v. Colvin Request Form

Return Envelope

cc:

[Representative of Record]

[Representative Payee]

Padro et al. v. Colvin - Request Form

(Request for Retrospective Relief)

IMPORTANT

Return This Form Within 60 Days

If You Want A New Hearing And Decision

[Name] [Date]

[Address] [Social Security Number]

[City State Zip]

If you want a new hearing and decision, please sign and date this form and return it in the enclosed pre-paid envelope within 60 days after you get this notice.

I want a new hearing and decision.

SIGNATURE

DATE

If your address is different from the one shown above, please write your correct address.

ADDRESS (Number and Street, Apartment Number, Post Office Box, or Rural Route)

CITY AND STATE ZIP CODE

Attachment 1A-SP. Notice A – Notice of Retrospective Relief and Response Form (Spanish)

Administración del Seguro Social

Información Importante

Aviso del acuerdo colectivo Padro et al. v. Colvin y el límite de tiempo de 60 días para solicitar una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo

Es posible que usted tenga derecho a una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo en su reclamación de los beneficios por incapacidad – Por favor devuélvanos el formulario incluido dentro de 60 días que comienzan a partir de la fecha en que reciba este aviso

De acuerdo con nuestros registros, usted recibió un fallo desfavorable o desfavorable en parte entre las fechas de 1 de enero de 2008 y 18 de octubre de 2013 en su reclamación de los beneficios de Seguro Social por incapacidad o la Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario. Su fallo fue emitido por uno de los siguientes cinco Jueces de Derecho Administrativo (ALJ): Michael D. Cofresi, Seymour Fier, Marilyn P. Hoppenfeld, David Z. Nisnewitz y Hazel C. Strauss, de la Oficina de Adjudicación y Revisiones de Reclamaciones de Beneficios por Incapacidad en Queens, Nueva York.

El 18 de octubre de 2013, el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito del Este de Nueva York aprobó un acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin. Esta demanda retó las reclamaciones que recibieron fallos desfavorables y desfavorables en parte, que fueron emitidos por los ALJ anteriormente nombrados, en reclamaciones de los beneficios por incapacidad.

Como parte del acuerdo, es posible que usted tenga derecho a una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo en su reclamación. El nuevo fallo será emitido por un ALJ, pero no será uno de los ALJ anteriormente nombrados o, en ciertos casos, por un abogado asesor o por el Consejo de Apelaciones.

Usted puede tener derecho a una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo a menos que:

• Ya haya apelado a un Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos el fallo que emitido por uno de los ALJ anteriormente nombrados, y:

  • El Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos afirmó el fallo del ALJ y usted no presentó una moción para modificar o enmendar el fallo del Tribunal que está pendiente a partir de diciembre 18, 2013; o

  • El Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos regresó su reclamación, la orden del Tribunal estipulaba que la reclamación no necesariamente tenía que ser asignada a un ALJ diferente y usted no presentó una moción para modificar o enmendar el fallo del Tribunal que está pendiente a partir de la fecha de diciembre 18, 2013; o

• Ya se le aprobaron todos los beneficios a los que usted tenía derecho a recibir basados en la reclamación en las que falló uno de los ALJ anteriormente nombrados; o

• Ya recibió un nuevo fallo de su reclamación por un ALJ quien no es uno de los ALJ anteriormente nombrados; o

• La reclamación en la que fallo uno de los ALJ anteriormente nombrados está pendiente con un ALJ diferente (otro ALJ que no es uno de los cinco ALJ anteriormente nombrados) en el momento en que usted devolvió el formulario incluido con este aviso.

Esto aviso le explica lo que tiene que hacer si quiere una nueva audiencia y un fallo nuevo en su reclamación de beneficios por incapacidad en la que uno de los ALJ anteriormente nombrados fallo entre las fechas de 1 de enero de 2008 y 18 de octubre de 2013.

Cómo solicitar una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo

Para solicitar una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo, necesita llenar el formulario que incluimos con este aviso. Tiene que llenar el formulario aunque ya haya apelado el fallo con el Consejo de Apelaciones.

Tiene que devolvernos el formulario dentro de 60 días a partir de la fecha en el encabezamiento de este aviso. Supondremos que recibió este aviso 5 días a partir de la fecha que aparece en el encabezamiento de este aviso, a menos que pueda probarnos que recibió el aviso más de cinco días después. Hemos incluido un sobre de correos para que su conveniencia.

Si no responde a este aviso dentro de los 60 días, se corre el riesgo de perder su oportunidad de solicitar una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo. No tomaremos en consideración ninguna solicitud tardía a menos que pueda probar una razón justificada por no haber respondido a tiempo.

Lo que nosotros haremos si usted solicita una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo

Si ya devolvió el formulario, nosotros investigaremos si usted tiene derecho a mitigación según las estipulaciones del acuerdo.

Si tiene derecho y su apelación referente a su reclamación de beneficios está pendiente en el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos, nos comunicaremos con usted o su abogado, si es que ha contratado a un abogado.

Si tiene derecho y pero no tiene pendiente una apelación referente a su reclamación de beneficios en el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos, le escribiremos haciéndole saber que enviaremos su reclamación de beneficios a un ALJ para una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo. El nuevo fallo lo emitirá un ALJ pero no será uno de los cinco anteriormente nombrados o, en algunos casos, el fallo será emitido por un abogado asesor o el Consejo de Apelaciones.

Si no tiene derecho a una nueva audiencia o a un nuevo fallo, le enviaremos un aviso haciéndole saber el por qué.

Si tiene más preguntas

Si tiene más preguntas acerca de este aviso, por favor visite o llame a su oficina local del Seguro Social o llame al número gratis del Seguro Social 1-800-772-1213. Si es sordo o tiene problemas de audición, por favor llame a nuestro número de teléfono TTY 1-800-325-0778.

Puede encontrar más información acerca del acuerdo de Padro et al. v. Colvin en nuestra página de Internet, http://www.socialsecurity.gov/padrosettlement/ (solo disponible en inglés). Si llama o visita una de nuestras oficinas, por favor tenga este aviso consigo. Esto nos ayudará a contestar sus preguntas.

Si un abogado u otro representante aprobado le estaba ayudando con su reclamación de beneficios por incapacidad, usted debe comunicarse con esa persona y hacerle saber que recibió este aviso. Si nosotros tenemos la información de su abogado o representante, le enviaremos una copia de este aviso directamente al abogado o su representante. Si tiene un abogado o representante, el nombre de esa persona aparece al pie de este aviso.

También puede comunicarse con el «Urban Justice Center», los abogados que presentaron la demanda de Padro et al. v. Colvin, escribiéndoles a la siguiente dirección: Urban Justice Center, Padro Class Counsel, Church

Street Station, P.O. Box 3363, New York, NY 10008-3363, o llamándolos al (646) 459-3068.

Anejo(s):

Padro et al. v. Colvin Formulario de solicitud

Sobre de retorno

cc:

[Representative of Record]

[Representative Payee]

Padro et al. v. Colvin – Formulario de solicitud

(Solicitud para mitigación retroactiva)

IMPORTANTE

Devuelva este formulario dentro de 60 días

Si quiere una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo

[Name] [Date]

[Address] [Social Security Number]

[City State Zip]

Si quiere una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo, por favor firme y feche este formulario y devuélvalo dentro de 60 días, a partir de la fecha en que usted recibió este aviso, en el sobre de retorno franqueado que incluimos.

Yo quiero una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo.

FIRMA __________

FECHA

Si su dirección postal no es la misma que aparece en el encabezamiento de este formulario, por favor escriba su dirección postal correcta.

DIRECCIÓN (Número de casa y nombre de la calle, número de apartamento, casilla de correos o ruta rural)

CIUDAD Y ESTADO CÓDIGO POSTAL

Attachment 1B. Notice B — Padro Notice of Decision – Unfavorable (Prospective Relief)

[standard header will be used]

Notice of Decision – Unfavorable

I carefully reviewed the facts of your case and made the enclosed decision. Please read this notice and my decision.

If You Disagree With My Decision

If you disagree with my decision, you may file an appeal with the Appeals Council. This notice will explain your options, including how to file an appeal.

Special Review Procedures Under the Padro et al. v. Colvin Class-Action Settlement

On October 18, 2013, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York approved a settlement in the class-action lawsuit Padro et al. v. Colvin. This lawsuit challenged decisions on disability claims made by certain administrative law judges.

Under the settlement agreement, my decision will be reviewed using special review procedures. These special review procedures include: (1) assigning your claim to be reviewed by a specified group of staff at the Appeals Council, (2) if your claim is returned for a new hearing and decision, it will not be assigned to me but instead will be assigned to an administrative law judge who was not involved in the Padro et al. v. Colvin class-action lawsuit, and (3) if you have not filed a written appeal on the 65^th day following this notice, the Appeals Council will deem you to have filed a timely request for review. We call these special review procedures “Padro review.” We will apply these procedures unless you write and tell us you do not want Padro review.

How to File an Appeal

To file an appeal you or your representative must ask in writing that the Appeals Council review my decision. You may use our Request for Review form (HA-520) or write a letter. The form is available at www.socialsecurity.gov. Please put the Social Security number shown above on any appeal you file. Please also refer to the Padro et al v. Colvin settlement. We will assume that you want Padro review unless you tell us you do not. If you need help, you may file in person at any Social Security or hearing office.

Please send your request to:

Appeals Council
Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
Padro Staff
5107 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041-3255

Time Limit to File an Appeal

You must file your written appeal within 60 days of the date you get this notice. The Appeals Council assumes you got this notice 5 days after the date shown above unless you show you did not get it within the 5-day period.

If You Do Not File an Appeal

Under the terms of the Padro et al. v. Colvin settlement, if you do not file your written appeal within 60 days after you receive this notice, the Appeals Council will deem you to have filed a timely request for review. This will happen on the 65^th day after the date on this notice, unless you tell us that you do not want Padro review.

If You Do Not Want Padro Review

If you do not want my decision reviewed under the special review procedures, you must write and tell the Appeals Council that you do not want Padro review. You can do this either with or without filing an appeal.

To file an appeal without Padro review, you must tell the Appeals Council that you do not want Padro review at the time you file the appeal. This will mean that (1) your claim may not be assigned to a specified group of staff at the Appeals Council, and (2) if your claim is returned for a new hearing and decision, it may be returned to me or to one of the other administrative law judges who were involved in the Padro et al. v. Colvin class-action lawsuit.

If you do not want the Appeals Council to deem you to have filed a request for review, you must send us a request in writing. You must say that you do not want Padro review, and also do not want to file an appeal. You must do this within 60 days of the date you get this notice. The time limit is the same as the time limit to file an appeal, and you should write to the Appeals Council at the same address. This will mean that the Appeals Council may not review my decision at all, and that my decision may become final.

If you tell the Appeals Council that you do not want Padro review, the settlement relief and limitations will not apply to you. You will have the right to appeal as if there were no class-action settlement.

What Else You May Send Us

You or your representative may send us a written statement about your case. You may also send us new evidence. You should send your written statement and any new evidence with your appeal. Sending your written statement and any new evidence with your appeal may help us review your case sooner.

How a Written or Deemed Appeal Works

The Appeals Council will consider your entire case. It will consider all of my decision, even the parts with which you agree. Review can make any part of my decision more or less favorable or unfavorable to you.

Under the terms of the Padro et al. v. Colvin settlement, we will assign your case to a specified group of staff within the Appeals Council. This staff will use the same rules for considering your case that would apply if you tell us you do not want Padro review. The rules the Appeals Council uses are in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 20, Chapter III, Part 404 (Subpart J) and Part 416 (Subpart N).

The Appeals Council may:

• Deny your written or deemed appeal,

• Return your case to me if you decline Padro review, or, if you accept Padro review, return your case to another administrative law judge for a new decision,

• Issue its own decision, or

• Dismiss your case.

The Appeals Council will send you a notice telling you what it decides to do.

Under the terms of the Padro et al. v. Colvin settlement, if the Appeals Council returns your case for a new decision, your case will be assigned to an administrative law judge who was not involved in the Padro et al. v. Colvin class-action lawsuit. Any subsequent hearing will be conducted by that other administrative law judge.

If you tell us you do not want Padro review, and the Appeals Council returns your case for a new decision, your case may be assigned to me or to another administrative law judge who was involved in the class-action lawsuit. If the Appeals Council denies your appeal, my decision will become the final decision.

The Appeals Council May Review My Decision On Its Own

The Appeals Council may review my decision even if you do not appeal, and even if you tell us you do not want Padro review. They may decide to review my decision within 60 days after the date of the decision. The Appeals Council will mail you a notice of review if they decide to review my decision.

When There Is No Appeals Council Review

If you tell us you do not want Padro review, do not appeal, and the Appeals Council does not review my decision on its own, my decision will become final. A final decision can be changed only under special circumstances. You will not have the right to Federal court review.

[The following language will be included only if the claimant is unrepresented:

Your Right to Representation

You may choose to have an attorney or other person help you. Many representatives do not charge a fee unless you win your appeal. Groups are available to help you find a representative or, if you qualify, to give you free legal services. Your local Social Security office has a list of groups that can help you in this process.

If you get someone to help you with your appeal, you or that person must let the Appeals Council know. If you hire someone, we must approve the fee before he or she is allowed to collect it.]

New Application

You have the right to file a new application at any time, but filing a new application is not the same as appealing this decision. If you disagree with my decision and you file a new application instead of appealing, you might lose some benefits or not qualify for benefits at all. My decision could also be used to deny a new application for benefits if the facts and issues are the same. If you disagree with my decision, you should file an appeal within 60 days.

If You Have Any Questions

We invite you to visit our website located at www.socialsecurity.gov to find answers to general questions about social security. You may also call (800) 772-1213 with questions. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please use our TTY number (800) 325-0778.

More information about the Padro et al. v. Colvin settlement is available on our website located at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/padrosettlement. You can also contact the Urban Justice Center, the lawyers who brought the Padro et al. v. Colvin lawsuit, by writing to them at Urban Justice Center, Padro Class Counsel, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 3363, New York, NY 10008-3363, or calling them at (646) 459-3068.

If you have any other questions, please call, write, or visit any Social Security office. Please have this notice and decision with you. The telephone number of the local office that serves your area is [field office phone number]. Its address is:

[FIELD OFFICE ADDRESS]

[ALJ Name]

Administrative Law Judge

Enclosures:

Decision Rationale

Form HA-L39 (Exhibit List)

cc: [Representative of Record]

Attachment 1B-SP. Notice B — Padro Notice of Decision – Unfavorable (Prospective Relief)(Spanish)

[standard header will be used]

Aviso del Fallo – Desfavorable

Yo revise detenidamente los hechos de su caso y emití el fallo adjunto. Por favor lea este aviso y mi fallo.

Si no está de acuerdo con mi fallo

Si no está de acuerdo con mi fallo, usted puede presentar una apelación al Consejo de Apelaciones. En este aviso le explica sus opciones disponibles, incluso cómo presentar una apelación.

Procedimientos especiales de revisión en conformidad con el Acuerdo de la Demanda Colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin

El 18 de octubre de 2013, el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito del Este de Nueva York aprobó un acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin. Esta demanda retó las reclamaciones que recibieron fallos que fueron emitidos por ciertos jueces de derecho administrativo en reclamaciones de los beneficios por incapacidad.

En conformidad con el acuerdo de la demanda colectiva, mi fallo será revisado usando unos procedimientos especiales. Estos procedimientos especiales de revisión incluyen: (1) asignar su reclamación para ser revisado por un grupo específico de los miembros del Consejo de Apelaciones, (2) si su reclamación es devuelta para una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo, no será asignada a mi persona, sino que será asignada a un juez de derecho administrativo quien no tuvo nada que ver con la demanda colectiva de Padro et al. v. Colvin, y (3) si usted no ha presentado una apelación por escrito, a no más tardar del día número 65 después de la fecha de este aviso el Consejo de Apelaciones juzgará que su solicitud para una revisión ha sido presentada dentro del tiempo límite establecido. Ha estos procedimientos especiales para una revisión le llamamos «revisiones Padro». Aplicaremos estos procedimientos a menos que usted nos escriba y nos diga que no quiere una revisión Padro.

Cómo presentar una apelación

Para presentar una apelación, usted o su abogado o representante tienen que hacerlo por escrito, solicitando que el Consejo de Apelaciones revise mi fallo. Puede usar nuestro formulario (HA-520) titulado, «Request for Review» o escriba una carta. El formulario está disponible por Internet en www.segurosocial.gov. Por favor escriba en sus apelaciones el número de Seguro Social que aparece en el encabezamiento de este aviso. También, escriba que la apelación es referente al acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al v. Colvin. Supondremos que solicita una revisión Padro a menos que nos indique lo contrario. Si necesita ayuda, puede ir personalmente a cualquier oficina del Seguro Social o a una de las oficinas de audiencias del Seguro Social y presentar su apelación.

Por favor envíe su petición a:

Appeals Council
Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
Padro Staff
5107 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041-3255

Tiempo límite para presentar su apelación

Tiene que presentar su apelación dentro de 60 días a partir de la fecha de este aviso. El Consejo de Apelaciones supone que usted recibió este aviso 5 días después de la fecha que aparece en el encabezamiento de este aviso, a menos que usted pueda probar que no lo recibió dentro de este periodo de 5 días.

Si no presenta una apelación

Conforme a las condiciones del acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin, si usted no presenta por escrito una apelación dentro de los 60 días después que recibe este aviso, el Consejo de Apelaciones juzgará que usted ha presentado a tiempo una solicitud para revisión. Esto sucederá el día número 65, a partir de la fecha en el encabezamiento de este aviso, a menos que nos haga saber que no quiere una revisión Padro.

Si usted no quiere una revisión Padro

Si usted no quiere que mi fallo sea emitido conforme a los procedimientos especiales de revisión, entonces tiene que hacerle saber por escrito al Consejo de Apelaciones que no quiere una revisión Padro. Usted puede hacer saber sus deseos ya sea que presente o no presente una apelación.

Para presentar una apelación sin que se utilice una revisión Padro, entonces, en el momento en que presente su apelación, tiene que hacerle saber al Consejo de Apelaciones que usted no quiere que se utilice una revisión Padro. Esta acción de su parte significará que (1) posiblemente su reclamación no sea asignada a un grupo especial dentro del Consejo de Apelaciones, y (2) si su reclamación es devuelta para que se celebre una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo, es posible que me la devuelvan a mi persona o a uno de los Jueces de Derecho Administrativo que fue nombrado en la demanda colectiva del caso Padro et al. v. Colvin.

Si no quiere que el Consejo de Apelaciones juzgue que usted ha presentado una solicitud para una revisión de su caso, entonces debe enviarnos una petición por escrito haciéndonos saber sus deseos. En su petición por escrito debe especificar que usted no quiere que se utilice una revisión Padro y que usted tampoco quiere presentar una apelación. Esta petición por escrito se debe presentar a no más tardar de 60 días a partir de la fecha en el encabezamiento de este aviso. Este límite de tiempo es el mismo límite de tiempo que se les otorga a las personas para presentar una apelación. La dirección a la que debe enviar su petición por escrito es la misma dirección que aparece en este aviso para el Consejo de Apelaciones. Al hacer este tipo de petición, de no quiere que se utilice una revisión Padro y que usted tampoco quiere presentar una apelación, significará que es posible que el Consejo de Apelaciones no revise mi fallo y que mi fallo posiblemente se convierta en el fallo final.

Si le hace saber al Consejo de Apelaciones que no quiere que se utilice una revisión Padro, el acuerdo de mitigación y sus limitaciones no se aplicarán en su caso. Usted tendrá el derecho a apelar el fallo, como si no existiera un acuerdo derivado de una demanda colectiva.

Qué otros documentos nos puede enviar

Usted o su abogado o la persona que lo representa pueden enviarnos una declaración por escrito referente a su caso. También puede enviarnos documentos de evidencia nueva. Debe enviar su declaración escrita y toda nueva evidencia junto con su apelación. Al incluir su declaración escrita y la nueva evidencia junto con su apelación nos ayudará a revisar su caso con más prontitud.

Cómo funciona una apelación por escrito o que se juzga que apeló

El Consejo de Apelaciones tomará en consideración su caso en su totalidad. Tomará en consideración mi fallo, incluso las partes del caso con la usted está de acuerdo. La revisión puede cambiar mi fallo a un fallo menos favorable o desfavorable para usted, de cualquier parte de su caso.

En conformidad con las condiciones establecidas por el acuerdo Padro et al. v. Colvin, asignaremos su caso a un grupo específico dentro del Consejo de Apelaciones. Este grupo específico utilizará los mismos reglamentos para revisar su caso que aplicarían si usted nos hiciera saber que no quiere que se utilice una revisión Padro. Los reglamentos que el Consejo de Apelaciones utiliza se encuentran en el tomo del Código de Reglamentos Federales (Code of Federal Regulations), título 20 (Title 20), capítulo III (Chapter III), parte 404 (inciso J) (Part 404 [Subpart J]) y la parte 416 (inciso N) (Part 416 [Subpart N]).

El Consejo de Apelaciones puede:

• Denegar su solicitud de su apelación escrita o que este cuerpo juzga que usted solicita,

• Devolverme el caso si usted rechaza que se utilice una revisión Padro, o si usted acepta que se utilice una revisión Padro, es posible que devuelvan su caso a otro Juez de Derecho Administrativo para un nuevo fallo,

• Emitir su propio fallo en su caso, o

• Desestimar su caso.

El Consejo de Apelaciones le enviará un aviso haciéndole saber su fallo.

En conformidad con las condiciones establecidas por el acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin, si el Consejo de Apelaciones devuelve su caso para que se emita un nuevo fallo, su caso será asignado a un Juez de Derecho Administrativo que no fue uno de los que se nombra en la demanda colectiva del caso Padro et al. v. Colvin. Cualquier audiencia subsiguiente será celebrada por ese otro Juez de Derecho Administrativo.

Si usted nos hace saber que no quiere que se utilice una revisión Padro, entonces si el Consejo de Apelaciones devuelve su caso para que se emita un nuevo fallo, es posible que su caso sea asignado a mi persona o a uno de los Jueces de Derecho Administrativo que fue nombrado en la demanda colectiva. Si el Consejo de Apelaciones rechaza su apelación, entonces mi fallo se convierte en el fallo final.

El Consejo de Apelaciones puede revisar mi fallo por su propia cuenta

Es posible que el Consejo de Apelaciones revise mi fallo, aunque usted no presente una apelación y ni tampoco quiera que se utilice una revisión Padro. El Consejo puede decidir el revisar mi fallo dentro de 60 días después de la fecha de emisión del mismo. El Consejo de Apelaciones le enviará un aviso de que revisará su caso, si el Consejo decide revisar mi fallo.

En caso de que el Consejo de Apelaciones no revise el fallo

Si usted nos hace saber que no quiere que se utilice una revisión Padro, ni tampoco presenta una apelación y el Consejo de Apelaciones decide no revisar mi fallo por su propia cuenta, entonces mi fallo se convierte en el fallo final. Un fallo final solo se puede cambiar de acuerdo a ciertas circunstancias especiales. Usted no tendrá el derecho de peticionar a un tribunal federal para que el tribunal revise su caso.

[The following language will be included only if the claimant is unrepresented:

Su derecho a representación

Usted puede elegir a un abogado u otra persona para que le ayude. Muchos abogados no cobran un honorario a menos que ganen su apelación. También existen grupos que están disponibles para ayudarle a conseguir un abogado o, si usted reúne los requisitos, proveerle servicios legales de gratis. Su oficina local del Seguro Social tiene una lista de grupos que pueden ayudarle en este proceso.

Si retiene los servicios de alguien para que le ayude con su apelación, usted y la persona que usted contrate tienen que hacerle saber al Consejo de Apelaciones. Si contrata los servicios de alguna persona, nosotros tenemos que aprobar el honorario a cobrar antes de que la persona pueda cobrarlo.]

Una nueva solicitud

Usted tiene el derecho a presentar una nueva solicitud en cualquier momento, pero debe entender que el presentar una nueva solicitud no es lo mismo que apelar este fallo. Si no está de acuerdo con mi fallo y decide presentar una nueva solicitud en vez de una apelación, existe la posibilidad que pierda algunos beneficios o que no tenga derecho a recibir ninguno de los beneficios disponibles. Mi fallo también puede usarse como base para denegar su nueva solicitud, si es que los hechos y asuntos presentados son los mismos. Si no está de acuerdo con mi fallo, usted debe presentar una apelación dentro de 60 días.

Si tiene preguntas

Le invitamos a que visite nuestro sitio de Internet en www.segurosocial.gov para encontrar respuestas a sus preguntas en general referentes a los servicios y programas administrados por el Seguro Social. También puede llamarnos con sus preguntas al 1-(800)-772-1213. Si es sordo o tiene problemas de audición, por favor marque nuestro número TTY 1-(800)-325-0778.

Para informarse mejor acerca del acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin, puede visitar la página de Internet http://www.socialsecurity.gov/padrosettlement (solo disponible en inglés). También puede comunicarse con el «Urban Justice Center», que son los abogados que presentaron la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin, escribiéndoles a: Urban Justice Center, Padro Class Counsel, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 3363, New York, NY 10008-3363, o llamándoles al (646) 459-3068.

Si tiene preguntas adicionales, por favor llame, escriba o visite cualquier oficina del Seguro Social. Por favor, tenga consigo este aviso y el fallo. El número de teléfono de su oficina local que le presta servicio es [field office phone number]. La dirección física es:

[FIELD OFFICE ADDRESS]
[ALJ Name]
Juez de Derecho Administrativo
Anejos:
Racional del fallo
Formulario número HA-L39 (Lista de prueba documental)
cc: [Representative of Record]

Attachment 1B-FinDec. Notice B — Padro Notice of Decision After Court Remand – Unfavorable (Prospective Relief)

[standard header will be used]

Notice of Decision – Unfavorable

I carefully reviewed the facts of your case and made the enclosed decision. Please read this notice and my decision.

If You Disagree With My Decision

If you disagree with my decision, you or your representative may submit written exceptions to the Appeals Council. “Written exceptions” are your statements explaining why you disagree with my decision. This notice will explain your options, including how to submit written exceptions and the time limits to file a civil action in Federal court.

Special Review Procedures Under the Padro et al. v. Colvin Class-Action Settlement

On October 18, 2013, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York approved a settlement in the class-action lawsuit Padro et al. v. Colvin. This lawsuit challenged decisions on disability claims made by certain administrative law judges (ALJs).

Under the settlement agreement, my decision may be reviewed using special review procedures. These special review procedures include: (1) deeming you to have filed general written exceptions on the date of this notice, which you can choose to withdraw or supplement, (2) assigning your claim to be reviewed by a specified group of staff at the Appeals Council, and (3) if your claim is returned for a new hearing and decision, it will not be assigned to me but instead will be assigned to an ALJ who was not involved in the Padro et al. v. Colvin class-action lawsuit. “Deeming you to have filed general written exceptions” means that your case will be treated as if you asked the Appeals Council to review my decision.

We call these special review procedures “Padro review.” We will apply these procedures unless you write and tell us you do not want Padro review.

How To File Written Exceptions

Under the terms of the Padro et al. v. Colvin settlement, your case will be treated as if you filed “general” written exceptions on the date of this notice. You may also file “specific” written exceptions (explaining in greater detail why you disagree with my decision) within 60 days of the date you get this notice.

If you file specific written exceptions, please put the Social Security number shown above on any written exceptions you send. Please also refer to the Padro et al v. Colvin settlement. We will assume that you want Padro review unless you tell us you do not.

Please send your specific written exceptions to:

Appeals Council
Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
Padro Staff
5107 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041-3255

If you need help, you may file in person at any Social Security or hearing office.

Time Limit To File Specific Written Exceptions (60 Days)

You must file your specific written exceptions with the Appeals Council within 60 days of the date you get this notice. The Appeals Council assumes that you got this notice within 5 days after the date of the notice unless you show that you did not get it within the 5-day period.

If you need more time to file your specific written exceptions, you must file a written request with the Appeals Council. You must file the request for an extension within 60 days of the date you get this notice. If you request more than 30 days, you must explain why you need the extra time. The Appeals Council will decide whether to grant your request for more than a 30-day extension.

If You Want to Withdraw the Deemed General Written Exceptions

Under the terms of the Padro et al. v. Colvin settlement, your case will be treated as if you asked the Appeals Council to review my decision. If you do not want my decision to be reviewed by the Appeals Council, you may write and tell us that you want to withdraw the general written exceptions. You may do this by writing to the Appeals Council at the address given above within 60 days of the date you get this notice.

[The following language will be included only if the claim was remanded pursuant to Sentence 4:

You would only choose this option if you do not plan to file specific written exceptions. This means that if you write to tell us that you want to withdraw the general written exceptions, and the Appeals Council does not review my decision on its own, you may file a new civil action in Federal court. We discuss the time limits for filing a civil action below.]

[The following language will be included only if the claim was remanded pursuant to Sentence 6:

You would only choose this option if you do not plan to file specific written exceptions. This means that if you write to tell us that you want to withdraw the general written exceptions, and the Appeals Council does not review my decision on its own, you will have the right to pursue your civil action with the court. We discuss the time limits for pursuing your civil action with the court below.]

We will assume that you want the rest of Padro review unless you tell us you do not. This will mean that if you file a civil action in Federal court and your claim is returned for a new hearing and decision, it will be assigned to an ALJ who was not involved in the Padro et al. v. Colvin class-action lawsuit.

If You Do Not Want the Padro Special Review Procedures

If you do not want my decision reviewed under the special review procedures, whether you want to file written exceptions, file a new civil action, or take no action on your case, you must write to the Appeals Council at the address above and tell them that you do not want Padro review within 60 days of the date you get this notice. If you file written exceptions, you must say that you do not want Padro review at the time you file your exceptions.

If you tell the Appeals Council that you do not want Padro review, the relief and limitations of the settlement will not apply to you. This means that: (1) your deemed general exceptions will be withdrawn, (2) your claim may not be assigned to a specified group of staff at the Appeals Council, and (3) if your claim is returned for a new hearing and decision, it may be returned to me or to one of the other administrative law judges who were involved in the Padro et al. v. Colvin class-action lawsuit.

You will still have the right either to file specific written exceptions within 60 days of receiving my decision or to pursue your case through Federal district court as described below as if there were no class action settlement.

The Appeals Council May Review My Decision On Its Own

The Appeals Council may review my decision even if you do not file written exceptions. The Appeals Council will notify you within 60 days of the date of this notice if it decides to review your case.

How Written Exceptions Work

The Appeals Council will consider your entire case. It will consider all of my decision, even the parts with which you agree. The Appeals Council's action may be more or less favorable or unfavorable to you.

Under the terms of the Padro et al. v. Colvin settlement, we will assign your case to a specified group of staff within the Appeals Council. This staff will use the same rules for considering your case that would apply if you tell us you do not want Padro review. The rules the Appeals Council uses are in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 20, Chapter III, Part 404 (Subpart J), Part 416 (Subpart N), Part 404 (Subpart J) and Part 416 (Subpart N).

The Appeals Council may:

• Find that there is no reason to change my decision,

• Dismiss your case,

• Return your case to me if you decline Padro review or, if you accept Padro review, return your case to another ALJ for a new decision, or

• Issue its own decision.

The Appeals Council will send you a notice telling you what it decides to do. If the Appeals Council does not change my decision, my decision will become the final decision after remand. Any future claim you file will not change a final decision on this claim if the facts and issues are the same.

Under the terms of the Padro et al. v. Colvin settlement, if the Appeals Council returns your case for a new decision, your case will not be assigned to me but instead will be assigned to an ALJ who was not involved in the Padro et al. v. Colvin class-action lawsuit. Any subsequent hearing will be conducted by that other ALJ.

If you tell us you do not want Padro review, and the Appeals Council returns your case for a new decision, your case may be assigned to me or to another ALJ who was involved in the class-action lawsuit. If the Appeals Council does not change my decision, my decision will become the final decision.

Filing An Action In Federal District Court

[The following language will be included only if the claim was remanded pursuant to Sentence 4:

If you withdraw the deemed general written exceptions, do not file specific written exceptions, and the Appeals Council does not review my decision on its own, my decision will become final on the 61^st day following the date of this notice. After my decision becomes final, you will have 60 days to file a new civil action in Federal district court. You will lose the right to a court review if you do not file a civil action during the 60-day period starting with the day my decision becomes final. However, you can ask the Appeals Council to give you more time to file a civil action. The Appeals Council will grant your request for more time only if you can show a good reason for needing more time. We will not send you any more notices about your right to file in Federal district court.]

[The following language will be included only if the claim was remanded pursuant to Sentence 6:

If you withdraw the deemed general written exceptions, do not file specific written exceptions, and the Appeals Council does not review your case on its own, my decision and a transcript of your case record will be sent to the Office of the United States Attorney for filing with the court when required. You have the right to pursue your civil action with the court.]

New Application

You have the right to file a new application at any time, but filing a new application is not the same as filing exceptions to my decision or filing a civil action in Federal court. If you disagree with my decision and you file a new application instead of filing written exceptions or appealing to Federal court, you might lose some benefits or not qualify for benefits at all. My decision could also be used to deny a new application for benefits if the facts and issues are the same. If you think my decision is wrong, you should file your exceptions within 60 days or file a new civil action between the 61^st and 121^st days after the date of this notice.

Your Right To Representation

If you file written exceptions, you may choose to have an attorney or other person help you. Many representatives do not charge a fee unless you win. Groups are available to help you find a representative or, if you qualify, to give you free legal services. Your local Social Security office has a list of groups that can help you in this process.

If you get someone to help with filing specific written exceptions, you or that person must let the Appeals Council know. If you hire someone, we must approve the fee before he or she is allowed to collect it.

If You Have Any Questions

We invite you to visit our website located at www.socialsecurity.gov to find answers to general questions about social security. You may also call (800) 772-1213 with questions. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please use our TTY number (800) 325-0778.

More information about the Padro et al. v. Colvin settlement is available on our website located at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/padrosettlement. You can also contact the Urban Justice Center, the lawyers who brought the Padro et al. v. Colvin lawsuit, by writing to them at Urban Justice Center, Padro Class Counsel, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 3363, New York, NY 10008-3363, or calling them at (646) 459-3068.

If you have any other questions, please call, write, or visit any Social Security office. Please have this notice and decision with you. The telephone number of the local office that serves your area is [field office phone number]. Its address is:

[FIELD OFFICE ADDRESS]

[ALJ Name]

Administrative Law Judge

Enclosures:

Decision Rationale

Form HA-L39 (Exhibit List)

cc: [Representative of Record]

Attachment 1B-FinDec-SP. Notice B – Padro Notice of Decision After Court Remand – Unfavorable (Prospective Relief) (Spanish)

[standard header will be used]

Aviso del Fallo – Desfavorable

Yo revise detenidamente los hechos de su caso y emití el fallo adjunto. Por favor lea este aviso y mi fallo.

Si no está de acuerdo con mi fallo

Si no está de acuerdo con mi fallo, usted o su representante pueden presentar excepciones por escrito al Consejo de Apelaciones. Las «excepciones por escritos» son declaraciones explicando el por qué usted no está de acuerdo con mi fallo. En este aviso le explicaremos sus opciones, incluso cómo presentar excepciones por escrito y los límites de tiempo para presentar una acción civil en el tribunal federal.

Procedimientos especiales de revisión en conformidad con el Acuerdo de la Demanda Colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin

El 18 de octubre de 2013, el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito del Este de Nueva York aprobó un acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin. Esta demanda retó las reclamaciones que recibieron fallos que fueron emitidos por ciertos Jueces de Derecho Administrativo (ALJ) en reclamaciones de los beneficios por incapacidad.

En conformidad con el acuerdo de la demanda colectiva, mi fallo será revisado usando unos procedimientos especiales. Estos procedimientos especiales de revisión incluyen: (1) juzgar que usted ha presentado excepciones por escrito en la fecha de este aviso, las cuales puede elegir a retirarlas o suplementarlas, (2) asignar su reclamación para ser revisado por un grupo específico de los miembros del Consejo de Apelaciones, (3) si su reclamación es devuelta para una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo, no será asignada a mi persona, sino que será asignada a un juez de derecho administrativo quien no tuvo nada que ver con la demanda colectiva de Padro et al. v. Colvin. El « juzgar que usted ha presentado excepciones generales por escrito» significa que su caso será tratado como si usted hubiera solicitado que el Consejo de Apelaciones revisara mi fallo.

Ha estos procedimientos especiales para una revisión le llamamos «revisiones Padro». Aplicaremos estos procedimientos a menos que usted nos escriba y nos diga que no quiere una revisión Padro.

Cómo presentar excepciones por escrito

En conformidad con las condiciones del acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin, su caso será procesado como si hubiera presentado excepciones por escrito «en general» en la fecha que se emitió este aviso. También puede presentar excepciones por escrito «en específico» (explicando con lujo de detalles el por qué usted no está de acuerdo con mi fallo) dentro de 60 días a partir de la fecha que aparece en el encabezamiento de este aviso.

Si presenta excepciones específicas por escrito, por favor escriba el número de Seguro Social que aparece en el encabezamiento de este aviso en todas las excepciones por escrito que presente. También, escriba que la apelación es referente al acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al v. Colvin. Supondremos que solicita una revisión Padro a menos que nos indique lo contrario.

Por favor envíe sus excepciones específicas por escrito a:

Appeals Council
Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
Padro Staff
5107 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041-3255

Si necesita ayuda, puede presentar su petición personalmente en cualquiera de las oficinas del Seguro Social o de las oficinas de audiencias del Seguro Social.

Tiempo límite para presentar sus excepciones específicas por escrito (60 días)

Tiene que presentar excepciones específicas por escrito, por favor escriba el número de Seguro Social que aparece en el encabezamiento de este aviso al Consejo de Apelaciones dentro de 60 días a partir de la fecha en el encabezamiento de este aviso. El Consejo de Apelaciones supone que usted recibió este aviso 5 días después de la fecha que aparece en el encabezamiento de este aviso, a menos que usted pueda probar que no lo recibió dentro de este periodo de 5 días.

Si quiere retractar las excepciones generales por escrito que han sido juzgadas como que usted las presentó

En conformidad con las condiciones del acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin, su caso será procesado como si usted hubiera peticionado al Consejo de Apelaciones que revisara mi fallo. Si no quiere que mi fallo sea revisado por el Consejo de Apelaciones, puede escribirnos haciéndonos saber que quiere retractar las excepciones generales por escrito. Puede hacerlo escribiéndole directamente al Consejo de Apelaciones a la dirección que aparece más arriba dentro de 60 días a partir de la fecha que aparece en el encabezamiento de este aviso.

[The following language will be included only if the claim was remanded pursuant to Sentence 4:

Usted solo podría usar esta opción si no planifica presentar excepciones por escrito. Esto significa que nos escribe para hacernos saber que quiere retractar excepciones en general por escrito y el Consejo de Apelaciones no revisa mi fallo por su propia cuenta, usted puede presentar una nueva acción civil en la tribunal federal. Los límites de tiempo para presentar una acción civil, los discutimos más adelante.]

[The following language will be included only if the claim was remanded pursuant to Sentence 6:

Usted solo podría usar esta opción si no planifica presentar excepciones específicas por escrito. Esto significa que nos escribe para hacernos saber que quiere retractar excepciones en general por escrito y el Consejo de Apelaciones no revisa mi fallo por su propia cuenta, usted tendrá el derecho de presentar su acción civil en la tribunal federal. Los límites de tiempo para presentar una acción civil, los discutimos más adelante.]

Nosotros supondremos que usted quiere la otra parte de la revisión Padro, a menos que nos diga lo contrario. Esto significará que si usted presenta una acción civil en la tribunal federal y su reclamación es devuelta para una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo, la reclamación será asignada a un ALJ que no tuvo nada que ver con la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin.

Si usted no quiere los procedimientos especiales de una revisión Padro

Si usted no quiere que mi fallo sea revisado conforme a los procedimientos especiales de revisión, ya sea que quiera presentar excepciones por escrito, presentar una nueva acción civil o que no se tome acción ninguna en su caso, entonces tiene que hacerle saber por escrito al Consejo de Apelaciones que no quiere una revisión Padro dirigiendo su correspondencia a la dirección que aparece arriba y hacerle saber que no quiere una revisión Padro dentro de 60 días a partir de la fecha que aparece en el encabezamiento de este aviso. Si presenta excepciones por escrito, tiene que declarar que quiere una revisión Padro cuando presente sus excepciones.

Si le escribe al Consejo de Apelaciones haciéndole saber que no quiere que se utilice una revisión Padro, entonces, las mitigaciones y limitaciones del acuerdo no serán aplicadas a su caso. Esta acción de su parte significará que (1) sus excepciones generales que han juzgado que ha presentado serán retractadas, (2) posiblemente su reclamación no sea asignada a un grupo especial dentro del Consejo de Apelaciones y (2) si su reclamación es devuelta para que se celebre una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo, es posible que me la devuelvan a mi persona o a uno de los Jueces de Derecho Administrativo que fue nombrado en la demanda colectiva del caso Padro et al. v. Colvin.

Usted todavía tendrá el derecho de presentar excepciones específicas por escrito dentro de 60 días después de recibir mi fallo o proseguir con su caso a un Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos según se explica más adelante, como si no existiera un acuerdo derivado de una demanda colectiva.

El Consejo de Apelaciones puede revisar mi fallo por su propia cuenta

Es posible que el Consejo de Apelaciones revise mi fallo, aunque usted no presente ninguna excepción por escrito. El Consejo de Apelaciones le enviará un aviso dentro de 60 días a partir de la fecha en el encabezamiento de este aviso, si el Consejo decide revisar su caso.

Cómo funcionan las excepciones por escrito

El Consejo de Apelaciones tomará en consideración su caso en su totalidad. Tomará en consideración mi fallo en su totalidad, incluso las partes del caso con la usted está de acuerdo. La acción que tome el Consejo de Apelaciones puede ser menos favorable o desfavorable para usted.

En conformidad con las condiciones establecidas por el acuerdo Padro et al. v. Colvin, asignaremos su caso a un grupo específico dentro del Consejo de Apelaciones. Este grupo específico utilizará los mismos reglamentos para revisar su caso que aplicarían si usted nos hiciera saber que no quiere que se utilice una revisión Padro. Los reglamentos que el Consejo de Apelaciones utiliza se encuentran en el tomo del Código de Reglamentos Federales (Code of Federal Regulations), título 20 (Title 20), capítulo III (Chapter III), parte 404 (inciso J) (Part 404 [Subpart J]) y la parte 416 (inciso N) (Part 416 [Subpart N]).

El Consejo de Apelaciones puede:

• Encontrar que no hay razón alguna por qué cambiar mi fallo,

• Desestimar su caso,

• Devolverme el caso si usted rechaza que se utilice una revisión Padro, o si usted acepta que se utilice una revisión Padro, es posible que devuelvan su caso a otro Juez de Derecho Administrativo para un nuevo fallo, o

• Emitir su propio fallo en su caso.

El Consejo de Apelaciones le enviará un aviso haciéndole saber su fallo. Si el Consejo de Apelaciones no cambia mi fallo, entonces mi fallo se convierte en el fallo final después de ser devuelto. Cualquier reclamación que usted presente en el futuro no cambiará una decisión final en esta reclamación, si los hechos y asuntos presentados son los mismos.

En conformidad con las condiciones establecidas por el acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin, si el Consejo de Apelaciones devuelve su caso para que se emita un nuevo fallo, su caso no será asignado a mi otra vez, sino que su caso será asignado a un Juez de Derecho Administrativo que no fue uno de los que se nombra en la demanda colectiva del caso Padro et al. v. Colvin. Cualquier audiencia subsiguiente será celebrada por ese otro Juez de Derecho Administrativo.

Si usted nos hace saber que no quiere que se utilice una revisión Padro, entonces si el Consejo de Apelaciones devuelve su caso para que se emita un nuevo fallo, es posible que su caso sea asignado a mi persona o a uno de los Jueces de Derecho Administrativo que fue nombrado en la demanda colectiva. Si el Consejo de Apelaciones rechaza su apelación, entonces mi fallo se convierte en el fallo final.

Presentando una acción en el Tribunal Federal de Distrito

[The following language will be included only if the claim was remanded pursuant to Sentence 4:

Si retracta las excepciones generales por escrito que se juzgan que usted ha presentado, usted no presenta excepciones específicas por escrito y el Consejo de Apelaciones no revisa mi fallo por sí mismo, mi fallo se convierte en el fallo final el día número 61 a partir de la fecha que aparece en el encabezamiento de este aviso. Después que mi fallo se convierte en el fallo final, usted tendrá 60 días para presentar una nueva acción civil en el Tribunal Federal de Distrito. Usted perderá su derecho a que la tribunal revise su caso si no presenta una acción civil durante el periodo de 60 días a partir de la fecha en que mi fallo se convierte en el fallo final. No obstante, usted puede peticionar al Consejo de Apelaciones para que le permita más tiempo para presentar una acción civil. El Consejo de Apelaciones le otorgará su petición para más tiempo solo si usted puede justificar la necesidad de más tiempo. No le enviaremos más avisos acerca de su derecho a presentar su caso en el Tribunal Federal de Distrito.]

[The following language will be included only if the claim was remanded pursuant to Sentence 6:

Si retracta las excepciones generales por escrito que han sido juzgadas como que usted las presentó y usted no presenta excepciones específicas por escrito y el Consejo de Apelaciones no revisa su caso por sí mismo, entonces mi fallo y la transcripción de su caso y el registro del mismo serán enviados a la Oficina del Abogado de los Estados Unidos para presentarlos al tribunal cuando sea necesario. Usted tiene el derecho de continuar con su acción civil con el tribunal.]

Una nueva solicitud

Usted tiene el derecho a presentar una nueva solicitud en cualquier momento, pero debe entender que el presentar una nueva solicitud no es lo mismo que presentar excepciones a mi fallo o el presentar una acción civil en un tribunal federal. Si no está de acuerdo con mi fallo y decide presentar una nueva solicitud en vez de presentar excepciones o una apelación en un tribunal federal, existe la posibilidad que pierda algunos beneficios o que no tenga derecho a recibir ninguno de los beneficios disponibles.

Mi fallo también puede usarse como base para denegar su nueva solicitud para recibir los beneficios, si es que los hechos y asuntos presentados son los mismos. Si cree que mi fallo es incorrecto, tiene que presentar sus excepciones dentro de 60 días o presentar una nueva acción civil entre los días números 61 y el 121 a partir de la fecha que aparece en el encabezamiento de este aviso.

Su derecho a representación

Usted puede elegir a un abogado u otra persona para que le ayude. Muchos abogados no cobran un honorario a menos que ganen su apelación. También existen grupos que están disponibles para ayudarle a conseguir un abogado o, si usted reúne los requisitos, proveerle servicios legales de gratis. Su oficina local del Seguro Social tiene una lista de grupos que pueden ayudarle en este proceso.

Si retiene los servicios de alguien para que le ayude con su apelación, usted y la persona que usted contrate tienen que hacerle saber al Consejo de Apelaciones. Si contrata los servicios de alguna persona, nosotros tenemos que aprobar el honorario a cobrar antes de que la persona pueda cobrarlo.

Si tiene preguntas

Le invitamos a que visite nuestro sitio de Internet en www.segurosocial.gov para encontrar respuestas a sus preguntas en general referentes a los servicios y programas administrados por el Seguro Social. También puede llamarnos con sus preguntas al 1-(800)-772-1213. Si es sordo o tiene problemas de audición, por favor marque nuestro número TTY 1-(800)-325-0778.

Para informarse mejor acerca del acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin, puede visitar la página de Internet http://www.socialsecurity.gov/padrosettlement (solo disponible en inglés). También puede comunicarse con el «Urban Justice Center», que son los abogados que presentaron la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin, escribiéndoles a: Urban Justice Center, Padro Class Counsel, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 3363, New York, NY 10008-3363, o llamándoles al (646) 459-3068.

Si tiene preguntas adicionales, por favor llame, escriba o visite cualquier oficina del Seguro Social. Por favor, tenga consigo este aviso y el fallo. El número de teléfono de su oficina local que le presta servicio es [field office phone number]. La dirección física es:

[FIELD OFFICE ADDRESS]

[ALJ Name]

Juez de Derecho Administrativo

Anejos:

Racional del fallo

Formulario número HA-L39 (Lista de prueba documental)

cc: [Representative of Record]

Attachment 1C. Notice C — Padro Notice of Decision– Partially Favorable (Prospective Relief)

[standard header will be used]

Notice of Decision – Partially Favorable

I carefully reviewed the facts of your case and made the enclosed partially favorable decision. Please read this notice and my decision.

Another office will process my decision [the following language will be included only for Title XVI or concurrent claims: and decide if you meet the non-disability requirements for Supplemental Security Income payments]. That office may ask you for more information. If you do not hear anything within 60 days of the date of this notice, please contact your local office. The contact information for your local office is at the end of this notice.

If You Disagree With My Decision

If you disagree with my decision, you may file an appeal with the Appeals Council. This notice will explain how to file an appeal.

Special Review Procedures Under the Padro et al. v. Colvin Class-Action Settlement

On October 18, 2013, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York approved a settlement in the class-action lawsuit Padro et al. v. Colvin. This lawsuit challenged decisions on disability claims made by certain administrative law judges.

Under the settlement agreement, if you appeal my decision, my decision will be reviewed using special review procedures. These special review procedures include: (1) assigning your claim to be reviewed by a specified group of staff at the Appeals Council, and (2) if your claim is returned for a new hearing and decision, it will not be assigned to me but instead will be assigned to an administrative law judge who was not involved in the Padro et al. v. Colvin class-action lawsuit. We call these special review procedures “Padro review.” If you appeal my decision, we will apply these procedures unless you write and tell us you do not want Padro review. If you do not want Padro review, you must tell us when you file your appeal.

How to File an Appeal

To file an appeal you or your representative must ask in writing that the Appeals Council review my decision. You may use our Request for Review form (HA-520) or write a letter. The form is available at www.socialsecurity.gov. Please put the Social Security number shown above on any appeal you file. Please also refer to the Padro et al v. Colvin settlement. If you file an appeal, we will assume that you want Padro review unless you tell us you do not. If you need help, you may file in person at any Social Security or hearing office.

Please send your request to:

Appeals Council
Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
Padro Staff
5107 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041-3255

Time Limit to File an Appeal

You must file your written appeal within 60 days of the date you get this notice. The Appeals Council assumes you got the notice 5 days after the date shown above unless you show you did not get it within the 5-day period.

The Appeals Council will dismiss a late request unless you show you had a good reason for not filing it on time.

If You Tell Us You Do Not Want Padro Review

If you appeal and tell us that you do not want Padro review, the settlement relief and limitations will not apply to you. You will have the right to appeal as if there were no class-action settlement.

This will mean that (1) your claim may not be assigned to a specified group of staff at the Appeals Council, and (2) if your claim is returned for a new hearing and decision, it may be assigned to me or to one of the other administrative law judges who were involved in the Padro et al. v. Colvin class-action lawsuit.

What Else You May Send Us

You [the following language will be included only if the claimant is represented: or your representative] may send us a written statement about your case. You may also send us new evidence. You should send your written statement and any new evidence with your appeal. Sending your written statement and any new evidence with your appeal may help us review your case sooner.

How an Appeal Works

The Appeals Council will consider your entire case. It will consider all of my decision, even the parts with which you agree. Review can make any part of my decision more or less favorable or unfavorable to you.

Under the terms of the Padro et al. v. Colvin settlement, we will assign your case to a specified group of staff within the Appeals Council if you appeal. We will do this unless you tell us you do not want Padro review. This staff will use the same rules for considering your case that would apply if you tell us you do not want Padro review. The rules the Appeals Council uses are in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 20, Chapter III, Part 404 (Subpart J) and Part 416 (Subpart N).

You must appeal my decision if you want us to assign your case to a specified group of staff within the Appeals Council.

The Appeals Council may:

• Deny your appeal,

• Return your case to me if you decline Padro review, or, if you accept Padro review, return your case to another administrative law judge for a new decision,

• Issue its own decision, or

• Dismiss your case.

The Appeals Council will send you a notice telling you what it decides to do.

Under the terms of the Padro et al. v. Colvin settlement, if the Appeals Council returns your case for a new decision, your case will be assigned to an administrative law judge who was not involved in the Padro et al. v. Colvin class-action lawsuit. Any subsequent hearing will be conducted by that other administrative law judge.

If you tell us you do not want Padro review, and the Appeals Council returns your case for a new decision, your case may be assigned to me or to another administrative law judge who was involved in the class-action lawsuit. If the Appeals Council denies your appeal, my decision will become the final decision.

You must appeal my decision if you want a new hearing and decision to be made by an administrative law judge who was not involved in the Padro et al. v. Colvin class action lawsuit should the Appeals Council grant review and remand your case.

The Appeals Council May Review My Decision On Its Own

The Appeals Council may review my decision even if you do not appeal. They may decide to review my decision within 60 days after the date of the decision. The Appeals Council will mail you a notice of review if they decide to review my decision.

When There Is No Appeals Council Review

If you do not appeal and the Appeals Council does not review my decision on its own, my decision will become final. A final decision can be changed only under special circumstances. You will not have the right to Federal court review.

[The following language will be included only if the claimant is unrepresented:

Your Right to Representation

You may choose to have an attorney or other person help you. Many representatives do not charge a fee unless you win your appeal. Groups are available to help you find a representative or, if you qualify, to give you free legal services. Your local Social Security office has a list of groups that can help you in this process.

If you get someone to help you with your appeal, you or that person must let the Appeals Council know. If you hire someone, we must approve the fee before he or she is allowed to collect it.]

New Application

You have the right to file a new application at any time, but filing a new application is not the same as appealing this decision. If you disagree with my decision and you file a new application instead of appealing, you might lose some benefits or not qualify for benefits at all. My decision could also be used to deny a new application for benefits if the facts and issues are the same. If you disagree with my decision, you should file an appeal within 60 days.

If You Have Any Questions

We invite you to visit our website located at www.socialsecurity.gov to find answers to general questions about social security. You may also call (800) 772-1213 with questions. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please use our TTY number (800) 325-0778.

More information about the Padro et al. v. Colvin settlement is available on our website located at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/padrosettlement. You can also contact the Urban Justice Center, the lawyers who brought the Padro et al. v. Colvin lawsuit, by writing to them at Urban Justice Center, Padro Class Counsel, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 3363, New York, NY 10008-3363, or calling them at (646) 459-3068.

If you have any other questions, please call, write, or visit any Social Security office. Please have this notice and decision with you. The telephone number of the local office that serves your area is [field office phone number]. Its address is:

[FIELD OFFICE ADDRESS]

[ALJ Name]

Administrative Law Judge

Enclosures:

Decision Rationale

Form HA-L39 (Exhibit List)

cc: [Representative of record]

Attachment 1C-SP. Notice C — Padro Notice of Decision – Partially Favorable (Prospective Relief) (Spanish)

[standard header will be used]

Aviso del Fallo – Parcialmente Desfavorable

Yo revise detenidamente los hechos de su caso y emití el fallo parcialmente desfavorable adjunto. Por favor lea este aviso y mi fallo

Otra oficina procesará mi fallo [the following language will be included only for Title XVI or concurrent claims: y tomará una decisión referente a si usted reúne los requisitos que no están relacionados con su incapacidad para ver si puede recibir los beneficios de Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario]. Esa oficina posiblemente solicite que usted presente más información. Si la oficina no se comunica con usted dentro de 60 días a partir de la fecha en el encabezamiento de este aviso, por favor comuníquese con su oficina local del Seguro Social. La información de la oficina local del Seguro Social se encuentra al final de este aviso.

Si no está de acuerdo con mi fallo

Si no está de acuerdo con mi fallo, usted puede presentar una apelación al Consejo de Apelaciones. En este aviso le explica sus opciones disponibles, incluso cómo presentar una apelación.

Procedimientos especiales de revisión en conformidad con el Acuerdo de la Demanda Colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin

El 18 de octubre de 2013, el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito del Este de Nueva York aprobó un acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin. Esta demanda retó las reclamaciones que recibieron fallos que fueron emitidos por ciertos jueces de derecho administrativo en reclamaciones de los beneficios por incapacidad.

En conformidad con el acuerdo de la demanda colectiva, mi fallo será revisado usando unos procedimientos especiales. Estos procedimientos especiales de revisión incluyen: (1) asignar su reclamación para ser revisado por un grupo específico de los miembros del Consejo de Apelaciones, (2) si su reclamación es devuelta para una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo, no será asignada a mi persona, sino que será asignada a un juez de derecho administrativo quien no tuvo nada que ver con la demanda colectiva de Padro et al. v. Colvin, y (3) si usted no ha presentado una apelación por escrito, a no más tardar del día número 65 a partir de la fecha en el encabezamiento de este aviso el Consejo de Apelaciones juzgará que su solicitud para una revisión ha sido presentada dentro del tiempo límite establecido. Ha estos procedimientos especiales para una revisión le llamamos «revisiones Padro». Si usted apela mi fallo, aplicaremos estos procedimientos a menos que usted nos escriba y nos diga que no quiere una revisión Padro. Si que no quiere una revisión Padro, tiene que hacérnoslo saber cuando presente su apelación.

Cómo presentar una apelación

Para presentar una apelación, usted o su abogado o representante tienen que hacerlo por escrito, solicitando que el Consejo de Apelaciones revise mi fallo. Puede usar nuestro formulario (HA-520) titulado, «Request for Review» o escriba una carta. El formulario está disponible por Internet en www.segurosocial.gov. Por favor escriba en sus apelaciones el número de Seguro Social que aparece en el encabezamiento de este aviso. También, escriba que la apelación es referente al acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al v. Colvin. Supondremos que solicita una revisión Padro a menos que nos indique lo contrario. Si necesita ayuda, puede ir personalmente a cualquier oficina del Seguro Social o a una de las oficinas de audiencias del Seguro Social y presentar su apelación.

Por favor envíe su petición a:

Appeals Council
Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
Padro Staff
5107 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041-3255

Tiempo límite para presentar su apelación

Tiene que presentar su apelación dentro de 60 días a partir de la fecha en el encabezamiento de este aviso. El Consejo de Apelaciones supone que usted recibió este aviso 5 días después de la fecha que aparece en el encabezamiento de este aviso, a menos que usted pueda probar que no lo recibió dentro de este periodo de 5 días.

El Consejo de Apelaciones desestimará una petición tardía a menos que usted muestre que tuvo una razón justificada para no presentar su apelación a tiempo.

Si nos hace saber que usted no quiere una revisión Padro

Si usted apela y nos hace saber que no quiere una revisión Padro, el acuerdo de mitigación y sus limitaciones no se aplicarán en su caso. Usted tendrá el derecho a apealar, como si no existiera un acuerdo derivado de una demanda colectiva.

Esta acción de su parte significará que (1) posiblemente su reclamación no sea asignada a un grupo especial dentro del Consejo de Apelaciones, y (2) si su reclamación es devuelta para que se celebre una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo, es posible que me la devuelvan a mi persona o a uno de los Jueces de Derecho Administrativo que fue nombrado en la demanda colectiva del caso Padro et al. v. Colvin.

Qué otros documentos nos puede enviar

Usted [the following language will be included only if the claimant is represented: o la persona que lo representa] pueden enviarnos una declaración por escrito referente a su caso. También puede enviarnos documentos de evidencia nueva. Debe enviar su declaración escrita y toda nueva evidencia junto con su apelación. Al incluir su declaración escrita y la nueva evidencia junto con su apelación nos ayudará a revisar su caso con más prontitud.

Cómo funciona una apelación

El Consejo de Apelaciones tomará en consideración su caso en su totalidad. Tomará en consideración mi fallo en su totalidad, incluso las partes del caso con la usted está de acuerdo. La revisión puede cambiar mi fallo a un fallo menos favorable o desfavorable para usted, de cualquier parte de su caso.

En conformidad con las condiciones establecidas por el acuerdo Padro et al. v. Colvin, asignaremos su caso a un grupo específico dentro del Consejo de Apelaciones. Este grupo específico utilizará los mismos reglamentos para revisar su caso que aplicarían si usted nos hiciera saber que no quiere que se utilice una revisión Padro. Los reglamentos que el Consejo de Apelaciones utiliza se encuentran en el tomo del Código de Reglamentos Federales (Code of Federal Regulations), título 20 (Title 20), capítulo III (Chapter III), parte 404 (inciso J) (Part 404 [Subpart J]) y la parte 416 (inciso N) (Part 416 [Subpart N]).

Usted tiene que apelar mi fallo si quiere que le asignemos su caso a un grupo específico dentro del Consejo de Apelaciones.

El Consejo de Apelaciones puede:

• Denegar su solicitud de su apelación escrita o que este cuerpo juzga que usted solicita,

• Devolverme el caso si usted rechaza que se utilice una revisión Padro, o si usted acepta que se utilice una revisión Padro, es posible que devuelvan su caso a otro Juez de Derecho Administrativo para un nuevo fallo,

• Emitir su propio fallo en su caso, o

• Desestimar su caso.

El Consejo de Apelaciones le enviará un aviso haciéndole saber su fallo.

En conformidad con las condiciones establecidas por el acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin, si el Consejo de Apelaciones devuelve su caso para que se emita un nuevo fallo, su caso será asignado a un Juez de Derecho Administrativo que no fue uno de los que se nombra en la demanda colectiva del caso Padro et al. v. Colvin. Cualquier audiencia subsiguiente será celebrada por ese otro Juez de Derecho Administrativo.

Si usted nos hace saber que no quiere que se utilice una revisión Padro y el Consejo de Apelaciones devuelve su caso para que se emita un nuevo fallo, es posible que su caso sea asignado a mi persona o a otro Juez de Derecho Administrativo que fue nombrado en la demanda colectiva del caso Padro et al. v. Colvin. Si el Consejo de Apelaciones deniega su apelación, entonces mi fallo se convierte en el fallo final.

Usted tiene que apelar mi fallo si quiere que se celebre una nueva audiencia y que se emita un nuevo fallo por un Juez de Derecho Administrativo que no tuvo nada que ver en la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin si es que el Consejo de Apelaciones le honra con una revisión y devuelve su caso.

El Consejo de Apelaciones puede revisar mi fallo por su propia cuenta

Es posible que el Consejo de Apelaciones revise mi fallo, aunque usted no presente una apelación. El Consejo puede decidir el revisar mi fallo dentro de 60 días después de la fecha de emisión del mismo. El Consejo de Apelaciones le enviará un aviso de que revisará su caso, si el Consejo decide revisar mi fallo.

Cuando el Consejo de Apelaciones no revisa el caso

Si usted no presenta una apelación y el Consejo de Apelaciones decide no revisar mi fallo por su propia cuenta, entonces mi fallo se convierte en el fallo final. Un fallo final solo se puede cambiar de acuerdo a ciertas circunstancias especiales. Usted no tendrá el derecho de peticionar a un tribunal federal para que el tribunal revise su caso.

[The following language will be included only if the claimant is unrepresented:

Su derecho a representación

Usted puede elegir a un abogado u otra persona para que le ayude. Muchos abogados no cobran un honorario a menos que ganen su apelación. También existen grupos que están disponibles para ayudarle a conseguir un abogado o, si usted reúne los requisitos, proveerle servicios legales de gratis. Su oficina local del Seguro Social tiene una lista de grupos que pueden ayudarle en este proceso.

Si retiene los servicios de alguien para que le ayude con su apelación, usted y la persona que usted contrate tienen que hacerle saber al Consejo de Apelaciones. Si contrata los servicios de alguna persona, nosotros tenemos que aprobar el honorario a cobrar antes de que la persona pueda cobrarlo.]

Una nueva solicitud

Usted tiene el derecho a presentar una nueva solicitud en cualquier momento, pero debe entender que el presentar una nueva solicitud no es lo mismo que apelar este fallo. Si no está de acuerdo con mi fallo y decide presentar una nueva solicitud en vez de una apelación, existe la posibilidad que pierda algunos beneficios o que no tenga derecho a recibir ninguno de los beneficios disponibles. Mi fallo también puede usarse como base para denegar su nueva solicitud, si es que los hechos y asuntos presentados son los mismos. Si no está de acuerdo con mi fallo, usted debe presentar una apelación dentro de 60 días.

Si tiene preguntas

Le invitamos a que visite nuestro sitio de Internet en www.segurosocial.gov para encontrar respuestas a sus preguntas en general referentes a los servicios y programas administrados por el Seguro Social. También puede llamarnos con sus preguntas al 1-(800)-772-1213. Si es sordo o tiene problemas de audición, por favor marque nuestro número TTY 1-(800)-325-0778.

Para informarse mejor acerca del acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin, puede visitar la página de Internet http://www.socialsecurity.gov/padrosettlement (solo disponible en inglés). También puede comunicarse con el «Urban Justice Center», que son los abogados que presentaron la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin, escribiéndoles a: Urban Justice Center, Padro Class Counsel, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 3363, New York, NY 10008-3363, o llamándoles al (646) 459-3068.

Si tiene preguntas adicionales, por favor llame, escriba o visite cualquier oficina del Seguro Social. Por favor, tenga consigo este aviso y el fallo. El número de teléfono de su oficina local que le presta servicio es [field office phone number]. La dirección física es:

[FIELD OFFICE ADDRESS]

[ALJ Name]

Juez de Derecho Administrativo

Anejos:

Racional del fallo

Formulario número HA-L39 (Lista de prueba documental)

cc: [Representative of record]

Attachment 1C-FinDec. Notice C — Padro Notice of Decision After Court Remand – Partially Favorable (Prospective Relief)

[standard header will be used]

Notice of Decision – Partially Favorable

I carefully reviewed the facts of your case and made the enclosed decision. Please read this notice and my decision.

If You Disagree With My Decision

If you disagree with my decision, you or your representative may submit written exceptions to the Appeals Council. “Written exceptions” are your statements explaining why you disagree with my decision. This notice will explain your options, including how to submit written exceptions.

Special Review Procedures Under the Padro et al. v. Colvin Class-Action Settlement

On October 18, 2013, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York approved a settlement in the class-action lawsuit Padro et al. v. Colvin. This lawsuit challenged decisions on disability claims made by certain administrative law judges (ALJs).

Under the settlement agreement, if you file written exceptions to my decision or file a civil action in Federal district court and your claim is remanded to the Commissioner, my decision will be reviewed using special review procedures. These special review procedures are: (1) if you file written exceptions, your claim will be reviewed by a specified group of staff at the Appeals Council, and (2) if your claim is returned for a new hearing and decision, it will not be assigned to me but instead will be assigned to an ALJ who was not involved in the Padro et al. v. Colvin class-action lawsuit. We call these special review procedures “Padro review.” We will use these procedures unless you write and tell us you do not want Padro review.

How To File Written Exceptions

Please put the Social Security number shown above on any written exceptions you send. Please also refer to the Padro et al v. Colvin settlement. We will assume that you want Padro review unless you tell us you do not.

Please send your written exceptions to:

Appeals Council
Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
Padro Staff
5107 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041-3255

If you need help, you may file in person at any Social Security or hearing office.

Time Limit To File Written Exceptions (60 Days)

You must file your written exceptions with the Appeals Council within 60 days of the date you get this notice. The Appeals Council assumes that you got this notice within 5 days after the date of the notice unless you show that you did not get it within the 5-day period.

If you need more time to file your written exceptions, you must file a written request with the Appeals Council. You must file the request for an extension within 60 days of the date you get this notice. If you request more than 30 days, you must explain why you need the extra time. The Appeals Council will decide whether to grant your request for more than a 30-day extension.

If You Do Not Want Padro Review

If you do not want my decision reviewed under the special review procedures, you must write and tell the Appeals Council that you do not want Padro review. You can do this either with or without filing written exceptions.

If you do file written exceptions, you must tell the Appeals Council that you do not want Padro review at the time you file your exceptions. This will mean that (1) your claim may not be assigned to a specified group of staff at the Appeals Council, and (2) if your claim is returned for a new hearing and decision, it may be returned to me or to one of the other ALJs who were involved in the Padro et al. v. Colvin class-action lawsuit.

If you do not file written exceptions, you may still tell the Appeals Council that you do not want Padro review. You must do this within 60 days of the date you get this notice. The time limit is the same as the time limit to file written exceptions, and you should write to the Appeals Council at the same address. You must say that you do not want Padro review, and also do not want to file written exceptions. This will mean that (1) the Appeals Council may not review my decision at all, and that my decision may become final, (2) if the Appeals Council does review my decision, your claim may not be assigned to a specified group of staff at the Appeals Council, and (3) if you file a civil action in Federal district court and your claim is returned for a new hearing and decision, it may be returned to me or to one of the other ALJs who were involved in the Padro et al. v. Colvin class-action lawsuit.

If you tell the Appeals Council that you do not want Padro review, the relief and limitations of the settlement will not apply to you. You will have the right to file written exceptions or a new civil action as if there were no class-action settlement.

The Appeals Council May Review My Decision On Its Own

The Appeals Council may review my decision even if you do not file written exceptions. The Appeals Council will notify you within 60 days of the date of this notice if it decides to review your case.

How Written Exceptions Work

The Appeals Council will consider your entire case. It will consider all of my decision, even the parts with which you agree. The Appeals Council's action may be more or less favorable or unfavorable to you.

Under the terms of the Padro et al. v. Colvin settlement, we will assign your case to a specified group of staff within the Appeals Council. This staff will use the same rules for considering your case that would apply if you tell us you do not want Padro review. The rules the Appeals Council uses are in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 20, Chapter III, Part 404 (Subpart J), Part 416 (Subpart N), Part 404 (Subpart J) and Part 416 (Subpart N).

You must file written exceptions if you want us to assign your case to a specified group of staff within the Appeals Council, and have a new hearing and decision made by an administrative law judge who was not involved in the Padro et al. v. Colvin class action lawsuit should the Appeals Council assume jurisdiction and remand your case.

The Appeals Council may:

• Find that there is no reason to change my decision,

• Dismiss your case,

• Return your case to me if you decline Padro review or, if you accept Padro review, return your case to another ALJ for a new decision, or

• Issue its own decision.

The Appeals Council will send you a notice telling you what it decides to do. If the Appeals Council does not change my decision, my decision will become the final decision after remand. Any future claim you file will not change a final decision on this claim if the facts and issues are the same.

Under the terms of the Padro et al. v. Colvin settlement, if the Appeals Council returns your case for a new decision, your case will not be assigned to me but instead will be assigned to an ALJ who was not involved in the Padro et al. v. Colvin class-action lawsuit.

If you tell us you do not want Padro review, and the Appeals Council returns your case for a new decision, your case may be assigned to me or to another ALJ who was involved in the class-action lawsuit. If the Appeals Council does not change my decision, my decision will become the final decision.

Filing An Action In Federal District Court

[The following language will be included only if the claim was remanded pursuant to Sentence 4:

If you do not file written exceptions, and the Appeals Council does not review my decision on its own, my decision will become final on the 61^st day following the date of this notice. After my decision becomes final, you will have 60 days to file a new civil action in Federal district court. You will lose the right to a court review if you do not file a civil action during the 60-day period starting with the day my decision becomes final. However, you can ask the Appeals Council to give you more time to file a civil action. The Appeals Council will grant your request for more time only if you can show a good reason for needing more time. We will not send you any more notices about your right to file in Federal district court.]

[The following language will be included only if the claim was remanded pursuant to Sentence 6:

If you do not file written exceptions, and the Appeals Council does not review your case on its own, my decision and a transcript of your case record will be sent to the Office of the United States Attorney for filing with the court when required. You have the right to pursue your civil action with the court.]

If you accept Padro relief, and your claim is returned for a new hearing and decision by a Federal district court, it will be assigned to an ALJ who was not involved in the Padro et al. v. Colvin class-action lawsuit.

New Application

You have the right to file a new application at any time, but filing a new application is not the same as filing exceptions to my decision or filing a civil action in Federal court. If you disagree with my decision and you file a new application instead of filing written exceptions or appealing to Federal court, you might lose some benefits or not qualify for benefits at all. My decision could also be used to deny a new application for benefits if the facts and issues are the same. If you think my decision is wrong, you should file your exceptions within 60 days or file a new civil action between the 61^st and 121^st days after the date of this notice.

Your Right To Representation

If you file written exceptions, you may choose to have an attorney or other person help you. Many representatives do not charge a fee unless you win. Groups are available to help you find a representative or, if you qualify, to give you free legal services. Your local Social Security office has a list of groups that can help you in this process.

If you get someone to help with filing written exceptions, you or that person must let the Appeals Council know. If you hire someone, we must approve the fee before he or she is allowed to collect it.

If You Have Any Questions

We invite you to visit our website located at www.socialsecurity.gov to find answers to general questions about social security. You may also call (800) 772-1213 with questions. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please use our TTY number (800) 325-0778.

More information about the Padro et al. v. Colvin settlement is available on our website located at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/padrosettlement. You can also contact the Urban Justice Center, the lawyers who brought the Padro et al. v. Colvin lawsuit, by writing to them at Urban Justice Center, Padro Class Counsel, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 3363, New York, NY 10008-3363, or calling them at (646) 459-3068.

If you have any other questions, please call, write, or visit any Social Security office. Please have this notice and decision with you. The telephone number of the local office that serves your area is [field office phone number]. Its address is:

[FIELD OFFICE ADDRESS]

[ALJ Name]

Administrative Law Judge

Enclosures:

Decision Rationale

Form HA-L39 (Exhibit List)

cc: [Representative of Record]

Attachment 1C-FinDec-SP. Notice C — Padro Notice of Decision After Court Remand – Partially Favorable (Prospective Relief) (Spanish)

[standard header will be used]

Aviso del Fallo – Parcialmente Desfavorable

Yo revise detenidamente los hechos de su caso y emití el fallo adjunto. Por favor lea este aviso y mi fallo.

Si no está de acuerdo con mi fallo

Si no está de acuerdo con mi fallo, usted o su representante pueden presentar excepciones por escrito al Consejo de Apelaciones. Las «excepciones por escritos» son declaraciones explicando el por qué usted no está de acuerdo con mi fallo. En este aviso le explicaremos sus opciones, incluso cómo presentar excepciones por escrito.

Procedimientos especiales de revisión en conformidad con el Acuerdo de la Demanda Colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin

El 18 de octubre de 2013, el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito del Este de Nueva York aprobó un acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin. Esta demanda retó las reclamaciones que recibieron fallos que fueron emitidos por ciertos Jueces de Derecho Administrativo (ALJ) en reclamaciones de los beneficios por incapacidad.

En conformidad con el acuerdo de la demanda colectiva, si usted presenta excepciones por escrito contra mi fallo o presenta una acción civil en el Tribunal federal de distrito y su reclamación es devuelta al Comisionado, mi fallo será revisado usando unos procedimientos especiales. . Estos procedimientos especiales de revisión son: (1) si usted presentó excepciones por escrito, su reclamación para ser revisado por un grupo específico de los miembros del Consejo de Apelaciones y (2) si su reclamación es devuelta para una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo, no será asignada a mi persona, sino que será asignada a un juez de derecho administrativo quien no tuvo nada que ver con la demanda colectiva de Padro et al. v. Colvin. Ha estos procedimientos especiales para una revisión le llamamos «revisiones Padro». Aplicaremos estos procedimientos a menos que usted nos escriba y nos diga que no quiere una revisión Padro.

Cómo presentar excepciones por escrito

Por favor escriba el número de Seguro Social que aparece en el encabezamiento de este aviso en todas las excepciones por escrito que presente. También, escriba que la apelación es referente al acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al v. Colvin. Supondremos que solicita una revisión Padro a menos que nos indique lo contrario.

Por favor envíe sus excepciones específicas por escrito a:

Appeals Council
Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
Padro Staff
5107 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041-3255

Si necesita ayuda, puede presentar su petición personalmente en cualquiera de las oficinas del Seguro Social o de las oficinas de audiencias del Seguro Social.

Tiempo límite para presentar sus excepciones por escrito (60 días)

Tiene que presentar excepciones por escrito, por favor escriba el número de Seguro Social que aparece en el encabezamiento de este aviso al Consejo de Apelaciones dentro de 60 días a partir de la fecha en el encabezamiento de este aviso. El Consejo de Apelaciones supone que usted recibió este aviso 5 días después de la fecha que aparece en el encabezamiento de este aviso, a menos que usted pueda probar que no lo recibió dentro de este periodo de 5 días.

Si necesita más tiempo para presentar excepciones por escrito, tiene que presentar por escrito una petición al Consejo de Apelaciones. Tiene que presentar su petición para una extensión de tiempo dentro de 60 días a partir de la fecha en el encabezamiento de este aviso. Si solicita una extensión de tiempo de más de 30 días, tendrá que justificar el por qué necesita el tiempo adicional. El Consejo de Apelaciones decidirá si se le otorgará su petición de extensión de tiempo mayor de 30 días.

Si usted no quiere los procedimientos especiales de una revisión Padro

Si usted no quiere que mi fallo sea revisado conforme a los procedimientos especiales de revisión, entonces tiene que hacerle saber por escrito al Consejo de Apelaciones que no quiere una revisión Padro. Usted puede solicitar esto, ya sea que presente o no presente excepciones por escrito.

Si presenta excepciones por escrito, tiene que hacerle al Consejo de Apelaciones que no quiere una revisión Padro en el momento en que presenta sus excepciones por escrito. Esta acción de su parte significará que (1) posiblemente su reclamación no sea asignada a un grupo especial dentro del Consejo de Apelaciones y (2) si su reclamación es devuelta para que se celebre una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo, es posible que me la devuelvan a mi persona o a uno de los Jueces de Derecho Administrativo que fue nombrado en la demanda colectiva del caso Padro et al. v. Colvin.

Si no presenta excepciones por escrito, todavía puede hacerle al Consejo de Apelaciones que no quiere una revisión Padro. Tiene hacerle saber su decisión al Consejo de Apelaciones dentro de 60 días a partir de la fecha en que reciba este aviso. El límite de tiempo es el mismo límite de tiempo establecido para presentar excepciones por escrito y debe dirigir su correspondencia para el Consejo de Apelaciones a la misma dirección que aparece más arriba. Tiene que declarar que no quiere una revisión Padro y que no quiere presentar excepciones por escrito. Esta acción de su parte significará que (1) es posible que el Consejo de Apelaciones no revise mi fallo y que mi fallo se convertirá en el fallo final, (2) si el Consejo de Apelaciones decide revisar mi fallo, posiblemente su reclamación no sea asignada a un grupo específico dentro del Consejo de Apelaciones y (3) si presenta un acción civil en un Tribunal federal de distrito y su reclamación es devuelta para que se celebre una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo, es posible que me la devuelvan a mi persona o a uno de los Jueces de Derecho Administrativo que fue nombrado en la demanda colectiva del caso Padro et al. v. Colvin.

Si le hace saber al Consejo de Apelaciones haciéndole saber que no quiere que se utilice una revisión Padro, entonces, las mitigaciones y limitaciones del acuerdo no serán aplicadas a su caso. Usted tendrá el derecho de presentar excepciones por escrito o una acción civil como si no existiera un acuerdo de una demanda colectiva.

El Consejo de Apelaciones puede revisar mi fallo por su propia cuenta

Es posible que el Consejo de Apelaciones revise mi fallo, aunque usted no presente ninguna excepción por escrito. El Consejo de Apelaciones le enviará un aviso dentro de 60 días a partir de la fecha en el encabezamiento de este aviso, si el Consejo decide revisar su caso.

Cómo funcionan las excepciones por escrito

El Consejo de Apelaciones tomará en consideración su caso en su totalidad. El Consejo de Apelaciones tomará en consideración mi fallo en su totalidad, incluso las partes del caso con la usted está de acuerdo. La acción que tome el Consejo de Apelaciones puede ser menos favorable o desfavorable para usted.

En conformidad con las condiciones establecidas por el acuerdo Padro et al. v. Colvin, asignaremos su caso a un grupo específico dentro del Consejo de Apelaciones. Este grupo específico utilizará los mismos reglamentos para revisar su caso que aplicarían si usted nos hiciera saber que no quiere que se utilice una revisión Padro. Los reglamentos que el Consejo de Apelaciones utiliza se encuentran en el tomo del Código de Reglamentos Federales (Code of Federal Regulations), título 20 (Title 20), capítulo III (Chapter III), parte 404 (inciso J) (Part 404 [Subpart J]) y la parte 416 (inciso N) (Part 416 [Subpart N]).

Usted tiene que presentar excepciones por escrito si quiere que se asigne su caso a un grupo específico dentro del Consejo de Apelaciones y que se celebre una audiencia y que se emita un fallo por un Juez de Derecho Administrativo que no tuvo nada que ver con la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin, si es que el Consejo de Apelaciones asume la jurisdicción de su caso y lo devuelve.

El Consejo de Apelaciones puede:

• Encontrar que no hay razón alguna por qué cambiar mi fallo,

• Desestimar su caso,

• Devolverme el caso si usted rechaza que se utilice una revisión Padro, o si usted acepta que se utilice una revisión Padro, es posible que devuelvan su caso a otro Juez de Derecho Administrativo para un nuevo fallo, o

• Emitir su propio fallo en su caso.

El Consejo de Apelaciones le enviará un aviso haciéndole saber su fallo. Si el Consejo de Apelaciones no cambia mi fallo, entonces mi fallo se convierte en el fallo final después de ser devuelto. Cualquier reclamación que usted presente en el futuro no cambiará una decisión final en esta reclamación, si los hechos y asuntos presentados son los mismos.

En conformidad con las condiciones establecidas por el acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin, si el Consejo de Apelaciones devuelve su caso para que se emita un nuevo fallo, su caso no será asignado a mi otra vez, sino que su caso será asignado a un Juez de Derecho Administrativo que no fue uno de los que se nombra en la demanda colectiva del caso Padro et al. v. Colvin.

Si usted nos hace saber que no quiere que se utilice una revisión Padro, entonces si el Consejo de Apelaciones devuelve su caso para que se emita un nuevo fallo, es posible que su caso sea asignado a mi persona o a uno de los Jueces de Derecho Administrativo que fue nombrado en la demanda colectiva. Si el Consejo de Apelaciones rechaza su apelación, entonces mi fallo se convierte en el fallo final.

Presentando una acción en el Tribunal Federal de Distrito

[The following language will be included only if the claim was remanded pursuant to Sentence 4:

Si no presenta excepciones por escrito y el Consejo de Apelaciones no revisa mi fallo por sí mismo, entonces mi fallo se convierte en el fallo final el día número 61 a partir de la fecha que aparece en el encabezamiento de este aviso. Después que mi fallo se convierte en el fallo final, usted tendrá 60 días para presentar una nueva acción civil en el Tribunal Federal de Distrito. Usted perderá su derecho a que el tribunal revise su caso si no presenta una acción civil durante el periodo de 60 días a partir de la fecha en que mi fallo se convierte en el fallo final. No obstante, usted puede peticionar al Consejo de Apelaciones para que le permita más tiempo para presentar una acción civil. El Consejo de Apelaciones le otorgará su petición para más tiempo solo si usted puede justificar la necesidad de más tiempo. No le enviaremos más avisos acerca de su derecho a presentar su caso en el Tribunal Federal de Distrito.]

[The following language will be included only if the claim was remanded pursuant to Sentence 6:

Si no presenta las excepciones generales por escrito y el Consejo de Apelaciones no revisa su caso por sí mismo, entonces mi fallo y la transcripción de su caso y el registro del mismo serán enviados a la Oficina del Abogado de los Estados Unidos para presentarlos al tribunal cuando sea necesario. Usted tiene el derecho de continuar con su acción civil con el tribunal.]

Si acepta las mitigaciones del acuerdo Padro y su reclamación es devuelta para que se celebre una nueva audiencia y se emita un nuevo fallo por un Tribunal Federal de Distrito, su caso será asignado a un Juez de Derecho Administrativo que no fue uno de los que se nombra en la demanda colectiva del caso Padro et al. v. Colvin.

Una nueva solicitud

Usted tiene el derecho a presentar una nueva solicitud en cualquier momento, pero debe entender que el presentar una nueva solicitud no es lo mismo que presentar excepciones a mi fallo o el presentar una acción civil en un tribunal federal. Si no está de acuerdo con mi fallo y decide presentar una nueva solicitud en vez de presentar excepciones o una apelación en un tribunal federal, existe la posibilidad que pierda algunos beneficios o que no tenga derecho a recibir ninguno de los beneficios disponibles. Mi fallo también puede usarse como base para denegar su nueva solicitud para recibir los beneficios, si es que los hechos y asuntos presentados son los mismos. Si cree que mi fallo es incorrecto, tiene que presentar sus excepciones dentro de 60 días o presentar una nueva acción civil entre los días números 61 y el 121 a partir de la fecha que aparece en el encabezamiento de este aviso.

Su derecho a representación

Usted puede elegir a un abogado u otra persona para que le ayude. Muchos abogados no cobran un honorario a menos que ganen su apelación. También existen grupos que están disponibles para ayudarle a conseguir un abogado o, si usted reúne los requisitos, proveerle servicios legales de gratis. Su oficina local del Seguro Social tiene una lista de grupos que pueden ayudarle en este proceso.

Si retiene los servicios de alguien para que le ayude con su apelación, usted y la persona que usted contrate tienen que hacerle saber al Consejo de Apelaciones. Si contrata los servicios de alguna persona, nosotros tenemos que aprobar el honorario a cobrar antes de que la persona pueda cobrarlo.

Si tiene preguntas

Le invitamos a que visite nuestro sitio de Internet en www.segurosocial.gov para encontrar respuestas a sus preguntas en general referentes a los servicios y programas administrados por el Seguro Social. También puede llamarnos con sus preguntas al 1-(800)-772-1213. Si es sordo o tiene problemas de audición, por favor marque nuestro número TTY 1-(800)-325-0778.

Para informarse mejor acerca del acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin, puede visitar la página de Internet http://www.socialsecurity.gov/padrosettlement (solo disponible en inglés). También puede comunicarse con el «Urban Justice Center», que son los abogados que presentaron la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin, escribiéndoles a: Urban Justice Center, Padro Class Counsel, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 3363, New York, NY 10008-3363, o llamándoles al (646) 459-3068.

Si tiene preguntas adicionales, por favor llame, escriba o visite cualquier oficina del Seguro Social. Por favor, tenga consigo este aviso y el fallo. El número de teléfono de su oficina local que le presta servicio es [field office phone number]. La dirección física es:

[FIELD OFFICE ADDRESS]

[ALJ Name]

Juez de Derecho Administrativo

Anejos:

Racional del fallo

Formulario número HA-L39 (Lista de prueba documental)

cc: [Representative of Record]

Attachment 1D. Notice D — Appeals Council Return Order

[standard header will be used]

NOTICE OF ORDER OF APPEALS COUNCIL

RETURNING CASE TO ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE

[Claimant Name]

[Claimant Street Address]

[Claimant City, State, Zip]

What This Order Means

You have requested and are eligible for relief pursuant to the settlement in the Padro et al v. Colvin class action lawsuit. Based on your eligibility for relief, we have sent this case back to an Administrative Law Judge who is not a named Administrative Law Judge in the settlement agreement. In the enclosed order, we explain why we did this and what the Administrative Law Judge will do about this claim.

We are forwarding the claim file to:

Hearing Office Chief Administrative Law Judge

Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

[Hearing Office]

[Hearing Office Address]

[Hearing Office City, State, Zip]

What Happens Next

An Administrative Law Judge will contact you to tell you what you need to do.

If You Have Any Questions

If you have any questions, you may call, write, or visit any Social Security office. If you do call or visit an office, please have this notice with you. The telephone number of the local office that serves your area is xxx-xxx-xxxx. Its address is:

SOCIAL SECURITY

[Street Address]

[City, State, Zip]

More information about the Padro et al. v. Colvin settlement is available on our website located at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/padrosettlement. You can also contact the lawyers who brought the Padro et al. v. Colvin lawsuit by writing to them at Urban Justice Center, Padro Class Counsel, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 3363, New York, NY 10008-3363, or calling them at (646) 459-3068.

<OSB>

<BSP>[Judge's Name]</BSP>

<BSP>Administrative Appeals Judge</BSP>

cc:

Representative of Record

Representative Payee

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

OFFICE OF DISABILITY ADJUDICATION AND REVIEW

ORDER OF APPEALS COUNCIL

RETURNING CASE TO ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE

The claimant is eligible for relief pursuant to the settlement in the Padro et al v. Colvin class action lawsuit. Therefore, the Appeals Council returns this case pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement. Specifically, this case must be assigned to an Administrative Law Judge who is not named in the class action.

[if it is unclear whether consolidation of the Padro claim with a non-Padro claim is warranted, insert this language]

The claimant filed a subsequent claim for [Title II][Title XVI] benefits on . On return, the Administrative Law Judge will consider whether the subsequent claim should be consolidated with the current claim(s).

[end conditional for when it is unclear whether consolidation of the Padro claim with a non-Padro claim is warranted]

[if consolidation of the Padro claim with a non-Padro claim is warranted, insert this language]

The claimant filed [a] subsequent claim[s] for [Title II][Title XVI][Title II and for Title XVI] benefits on . The Appeals Council's action with respect to the prior claim renders the subsequent claims duplicate. Therefore, the Administrative Law Judge will offer the claimant the opportunity for a hearing, take any further action needed to complete the administrative record, will associate the claim files and issue a new decision on the associated claims.

[end conditional for when consolidation of the Padro claim with a non-Padro claim is warranted]

In compliance with the above, the Administrative Law Judge will offer the claimant the opportunity for a hearing, take any further action needed to complete the administrative record and issue a new decision.

APPEALS COUNCIL

<BSP></BSP>

<OSB>______________________________

[Judge's <BSP>Name]<

<BSP>Administrative Appeals Judge</BSP>

Date:

Attachment 1D-SP. Notice D — Appeals Council Return Order (Spanish)

[standard header will be used]

AVISO DE LA ORDEN DEL CONSEJO DE APELACIONES

DEVOLVIENDO EL CASO AL JUEZ DE DERECHO ADMINISTRATIVO

[Claimant Name]

[Claimant Street Address]

[Claimant City, State, Zip]

Lo que esta orden significa

Usted solicitó mitigación de su caso y tiene derecho a ello en conformidad con el acuerdo de la demanda colectiva del caso Padro et al v. Colvin. Basándonos en su derecho a mitigación de su caso, hemos devuelto su caso a un Juez de Derecho Administrativo quien no es uno de los Jueces de Derecho Administrativo nombrados en el acuerdo de la demanda. En la orden judicial que incluimos, explicamos el por qué hicimos esto y lo que el Juez de derecho Administrativo hará referente a esta reclamación.

Estamos enviando registro de reclamación de los beneficios a:

Hearing Office Chief Administrative Law Judge

Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

[Hearing Office]

[Hearing Office Address]

[Hearing Office City, State, Zip]

Próximos pasos

Un Juez de Derecho Administrativo se comunicará con usted y le hará saber lo que necesita hacer.

Si tiene alguna pregunta

Si tiene preguntas nos puede llamar, escribir o visitar una de las oficinas del Seguro Social. Si decide llamar o visitar una de nuestras oficinas, por favor tenga este aviso consigo. El número de teléfono de la oficina local del Seguro Social que presta servicios en su comunidad es xxx-xxx-xxxx. La dirección física es:

SOCIAL SECURITY

[Street Address]

[City, State, Zip]

Para informarse mejor acerca del acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin está disponible en nuestro sitio de Internet http://www.socialsecurity.gov/padrosettlement (solo disponible en inglés). También puede comunicarse con el «Urban Justice Center», que son los abogados que presentaron la demanda colectiva Padro et al. v. Colvin, escribiéndoles a: Urban Justice Center, Padro Class Counsel, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 3363, New York, NY 10008-3363, o llamándoles al (646) 459-3068.

[Judge's Name]

Juez de Derecho Administrativo
de Apelaciones

cc:

[Representative of Record]

[Representative Payee]

Attachment 1D. Notice E – Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement and Fairness Hearing

Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement and Fairness Hearing
Regarding Decisions by Certain Administrative Law Judges in Queens, New York about
Social Security Disability Benefits

This notice is about a proposed settlement in a class action lawsuit concerning decisions about Social Security disability benefits by certain Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) in Queens, New York. Social Security disability benefits include both Disability Insurance Benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments based on disability.

The proposed settlement may affect your rights if you received or will receive an unfavorable or partially favorable decision about your claim for disability benefits from one of the five ALJs in Queens, New York listed below, during the period that begins January 1, 2008, and ends 30 months after the settlement becomes final. The proposed settlement will become final when the Court approves it.

The lawsuit was brought in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, in Brooklyn, New York. The Court will hold a public hearing before deciding whether to give final approval to the proposed settlement.

This notice describes the lawsuit and the terms of the proposed settlement. This notice also describes the process that the Court will use to decide whether to approve the proposed settlement, and what you can do if you have comments or object to the proposed settlement.

What Is The Lawsuit About?

The lawsuit is called Padro et al. v. Astrue. Plaintiffs claimed that certain ALJs in Queens, New York (Michael D. Cofresi, Seymour Fier, Marilyn P. Hoppenfeld, David Z. Nisnewitz, and Hazel C. Strauss) were “generally biased” against people applying for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration denies any wrongdoing or liability. However, the parties are proposing to settle the lawsuit.

Who Are Members Of The Class?

You may be a Class member if you received or will receive an unfavorable or partially favorable decision from one of the five ALJs listed above during the period beginning January 1, 2008, and ending 30 months after the date the proposed settlement becomes final.

What Are The Terms Of The Proposed Settlement?

This notice contains only a summary of the proposed settlement. To fully understand the proposed settlement, you should read the entire proposed settlement agreement. Information about where you can find a copy of the entire proposed settlement agreement appears below.

The proposed settlement provides that:

1. Class members whose claims were denied by one of the five ALJs named above between January 1, 2008, and the date the proposed settlement becomes final will have the right to a new hearing and decision on that claim. The new decision will be made by an ALJ who is not one of the five listed above or, in certain circumstances, may be made by a Social Security Administration attorney advisor or the Social Security Administration's Appeals Council.

2. Class members whose claims are denied by the five ALJs named above during the 30-month period after the date the proposed settlement becomes final will have their claims reviewed by a specified group of staff at the Appeals Council. If a class member's claim is sent for another hearing after an appeal, the claim will be assigned to an ALJ who is not one of the five listed above.

3. The Social Security Administration will provide other relief. This relief relates to ALJ training and to procedures the agency uses to review complaints that an ALJ hearing was unfair.

4. As part of the settlement, lead counsel for class plaintiffs—Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher—agreed to waive its fees. Gibson Dunn's co-counsel, a not-for-profit organization called the Urban Justice Center, will be paid fees of $125,000 for work done on this lawsuit. Those fees are the only funds to be paid by the Social Security Administration in connection with this lawsuit, except for the costs associated with sending the notices described in the proposed settlement.

How Can You Get A Copy of The Proposed Settlement?

You can get a copy of the proposed settlement in one of the following ways:

1. You can read the proposed settlement on the internet at:

   http://www.socialsecurity.gov/padrosettlement

2. You can contact the Urban Justice Center, the lawyers who brought the Padro et al. v. Astrue lawsuit, at (646) 459-3068.

How Will The Court Decide Whether To Approve The Proposed Settlement?

The Court will need to approve the proposed settlement before it becomes final.

The Court will hold a public hearing, called a fairness hearing, to decide if the proposed settlement is fair. The hearing will be held on July 24, 2013 at 2:30 p.m., at the following address:

United States District Court
Eastern District of New York
225 Cadman Plaza East
Brooklyn, New York 11201
Courtroom 10D South

Because the date and time of the hearing could change, please check with the Court before attending.

What Can You Do If You Object To The Settlement Or Have Other Comments?

IF YOU AGREE with the proposed settlement, you do not have to do anything at this time. You have the right to attend the fairness hearing, at the time and place above.

IF YOU DISAGREE OR HAVE COMMENTS about the proposed settlement, you can write to the Court or ask to speak at the hearing. You must do this by writing to the Clerk of the Court, at either:

The following mailing address:

Clerk of the Court
United States District Court
Eastern District of New York
225 Cadman Plaza East
Brooklyn, New York 11201

Or the following email address:

11cv1788@nyed.uscourts.gov

Your written comments or request to speak at the fairness hearing must be postmarked or e-mailed by June 24, 2013.

The Clerk will provide copies of written comments to the lawyers who brought the lawsuit and to the Social Security Administration by filing the comments on the court's electronic case filing system.

If your comments involve your health or other personal information, and you do not want such information to be widely available, you may ask the Court to keep your comments private by requesting that they be filed “under seal.” If you do this, your comments will be seen by the Court and the lawyers and the Social Security Administration, but the comments will not be made public. If you do not say that you want your comments “under seal,” they will become a part of the public record. This means that they will be available online through the Court's public access service. They may be read, downloaded, or distributed by anyone who has an account.

The Court will decide who gets to speak at the fairness hearing.

What Can You Do If You Have Questions?

If you have any questions about this lawsuit or about the proposed settlement, please contact the lawyers who brought the lawsuit at:

Urban Justice Center
Padro Class Counsel
123 William Street, 16^th Floor
New York, New York 10038-3800
Tel. (646) 459-3068
Fax. (212) 533-4598

Attachment 1E-SP. >Notice E – Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement and Fairness Hearing (Spanish)

Aviso del Acuerdo Propuesto de la Demanda Colectiva y de la Audiencia de Equidad referente a los fallos que emitieron ciertos Jueces de Derecho Administrativo en Queens, Nueva York con respecto a solicitudes para recibir los beneficios de Seguro Social por incapacidad

Este aviso es referente a la propuesta del acuerdo de la demanda colectiva referente a los fallos sobre de las solicitudes para recibir los beneficios de Seguro Social por incapacidad emitidos por ciertos Jueces de Derecho Administrativos (ALJs) en Queens, Nueva York. Los beneficios por incapacidad administrados por el Seguro Social incluyen ambos los beneficios de Seguro Social por incapacidad y los pagos de la Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario (SSI) basados en una incapacidad.

El acuerdo propuesto posiblemente afecte sus derechos si recibió o recibirá un fallo desfavorable o favorable en parte referente a su solicitud para recibir los beneficios por incapacidad que uno de los cinco ALJs, nombrados más adelante, en Queens, Nueva York, emitió, durante el periodo de tiempo que comienza el 1° de enero de 2008 y termina 30 meses después de la fecha en que el acuerdo se finaliza. El acuerdo propuesto se finalizará cuando el Tribunal lo apruebe.

La demanda fue ventilada en el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito Este de Nueva York, en Brooklyn, Nueva York. El Tribunal celebrará una vista pública antes de fallar en lo referente a si darle la aprobación final al acuerdo propuesto.

Este aviso describe la demanda y los términos del acuerdo propuesto. Este aviso también describe el procedimiento que el Tribunal usará para fallar en si aprueba o no el acuerdo propuesto y qué medidas usted puede tomar si tiene comentarios u objeta al acuerdo propuesto.

¿A qué viene la demanda?

La demanda se conoce como Padro et al. v. Astrue. Los demandantes reclaman que ciertos ALJs en Queens, Nueva York (Michael D. Cofresi, Seymour Fier, Marilyn P. Hoppenfeld, David Z. Nisnewitz, y Hazel C. Strauss) estaba «en términos generales prejuiciados» en contra de las personas que solicitan los beneficios de Seguro Social por incapacidad. La Administración del Seguro Social deniega cualquier acto ilegal o responsabilidad. No obstante, las partes interesadas proponen llegar a un acuerdo de la demanda.

¿Quiénes son los miembros de la Demanda Colectiva?

Es posible que usted sea un miembro de la Demanda Colectiva si recibió o recibirá un fallo desfavorable o favorable en parte de uno de los cinco ALJs anteriormente nombrados durante el periodo de tiempo que comienza el 1° de enero de 2008 y termina 30 meses después de la fecha en que el acuerdo se finaliza

¿Cuáles son los términos del acuerdo propuesto?

Este aviso contiene solo un resumen del acuerdo propuesto. Para poder comprender el acuerdo propuesto debe leer la propuesta del acuerdo de la demanda colectiva en tu totalidad. Más adelante encontrará información acerca de dónde puede encontrar una copia de la propuesta del acuerdo en tu totalidad.

El acuerdo propuesto estipula que:

1. Los miembros de la Demanda Colectiva cuyas solicitudes fueron denegadas por uno de los cinco ALJs anteriormente nombrados entre las fechas del 1° de enero de 2008 y la fecha en que el acuerdo se finaliza, tendrán el derecho a una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo de su solicitud. El nuevo fallo será emitido por un ALJ que no es uno de los cinco ALJs anteriormente mencionados o, bajo ciertas circunstancias, es posible que el fallo sea emitido por un abogado asesor de la Administración del Seguro Social o el Consejo de Apelaciones de la Administración del Seguro Social.

2. Los miembros de la Demanda Colectiva cuyas solicitudes serían denegadas por uno de los cinco ALJs anteriormente nombrados durante el periodo de tiempo de 30 meses después que el acuerdo se finalice, tendrán sus solicitudes revisadas por un grupo específico del Consejo de Apelaciones. Si la solicitud de uno de los miembros de la Demanda Colectiva se le programa otra audiencia después de una apelación, dicha solicitud será asignada a un ALJ quien no es uno de los cinco ALJs anteriormente nombrado.

3. La Administración del Seguro Social proveerá otra mitigación. Cuando nos hacemos referencia a mitigación, nos referimos a la capacitación de los ALJs y a los procedimientos que la agencia utiliza para revisar las querellas referentes a si una audiencia con un ALJ fue parcial.

4. Como parte del acuerdo, los abogados principales de la Demanda Colectiva—Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher—acordaron no exigir honorarios. A los abogados adjuntos al bufete de Gibson Dunn, una organización sin fines de lucro llamada Urban Justice Center, se les pagará honorarios por la cantidad de $125,000 por sus servicios prestados en referencia a esta demanda. Estos honorarios serán los únicos fondos que pagará la Administración del Seguro Social en conexión a esta demanda, excepto por los gastos asociados con el envío de los avisos descritos en el acuerdo propuesto.

¿Cómo puedo conseguir una copia del acuerdo propuesto?

Puede conseguir una copia del acuerdo propuesto por medio de una de estas maneras:

1. Puede leer el acuerdo propuesto en esta página de Internet:

   www.segurosocial.gov/padrosettlement (solo disponible en inglés).

2. Puede comunicarse con el «Urban Justice Center», los abogados que presentaron la demanda de Padro et al. v. Astrue, llamándolos al (646) 459-3068.

¿Cómo decidirá el Tribunal si aprobar o no el acuerdo propuesto?

El Tribunal necesitará aprobar el acuerdo propuesto antes de que éste se finalice.

El Tribunal celebrará una vista pública, conocida como una audiencia de equidad, para decidir si el acuerdo propuesto es justo. La vista pública se celebrará el 24 de julio de 2013, a las 2:30 p.m., en la siguiente dirección:

United States District Court
Eastern District of New York
225 Cadman Plaza East
Brooklyn, New York 11201
Courtroom 10D South

Ya que es posible que cambie la fecha y hora de la vista pública, así que por favor comuníquese con el Tribunal antes de presentarse.

¿Qué debe hacer si objeta al acuerdo o tiene otros comentarios?

SI ESTÁ DE ACUERDO con el acuerdo propuesto, no tiene que hacer nada más. Usted tiene el derecho de asistir a la audiencia de equidad, a la hora y en la dirección antes indicada.

SI NO ESTÁ DE ACUERDO O TIENE OTROS COMENTARIOS acerca del acuerdo propuesto, puede escribirle directamente al Tribunal o puede ventilar su desacuerdo o sus comentarios durante la vista pública. Para hacerle saber al Tribunal su intención, tiene que hacerlo por escrito dirigiéndose al «Clerk of the Court» (Secretario del Tribunal) a una de las dos siguientes direcciones:

Dirección postal:

Clerk of the Court
United States District Court
Eastern District of New York
225 Cadman Plaza East
Brooklyn, New York 11201

O a la siguiente dirección de correo electrónico:

11cv1788@nyed.uscourts.gov

Sus comentarios o su petición para poder ventilar su desacuerdo o sus comentarios durante la audiencia de equidad por escrito tienen que estar franqueadas o enviadas por correo electrónico hasta el 24 de junio de 2013.

El Secretario del Tribunal le proporcionará copias de sus comentarios por escrito a los abogados que presentaron la demanda colectiva, al igual que a la Administración del Seguro Social, de manera de presentar los comentarios en el sistema electrónico de presentar casos mantenido por el Tribunal.

Si sus comentarios incluyen asuntos pertinentes a su salúd o alguna otra información personal y si no quiere que esta información sea divulgada, usted le puede pedir al Secretario del Tribunal que mantenga sus comentarios en privado de manera que se mantendrán «sellados». Si decide hacer esto, sus comentarios estarán a la disposición del Tribunal, los abogados y la Administración del Seguro Social, pero los comentarios no se publicarán. Si no expresa que no quiere que sus comentarios sean «sellados», entonces sus comentarios vendrán a ser parte del registro público. Esto significa que estarán disponibles por Internet por medio del servicio de acceso público del Tribunal. Sus comentarios podrán ser leídos, descargados o distribuidos por cualquier persona que tenga una cuenta con el Tribunal.

El Tribunal decidirá a quién le permitirá ventilar sus desacuerdos o comentarios durante la audiencia de equidad.

¿Qué debe hacer si tiene alguna pregunta?

Si tiene alguna pregunta referente a esta demanda colectiva o referente al acuerdo propuesto, por favor comuníquese a la siguiente dirección y teléfono con los abogados que presentaron esta demanda colectiva:

Urban Justice Center
Padro Class Counsel
123 William Street, 16^thFloor
New York, New York 10038-3800
Tel. (646) 459-3068
Fax. (212) 533-4598

Attachment 1E (Revised). Notice E – Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement and Fairness Hearing

Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement and Fairness Hearing

Regarding Decisions by Certain Administrative Law Judges in Queens, New York about

Social Security Disability Benefits

This notice is about a proposed settlement in a class action lawsuit concerning decisions about Social Security disability benefits by certain Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) in Queens, New York. Social Security disability benefits include both Disability Insurance Benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments based on disability.

The proposed settlement may affect your rights if you received or will receive an unfavorable or partially favorable decision about your claim for disability benefits from one of the five ALJs in Queens, New York listed below, during the period that begins January 1, 2008, and ends 30 months after the settlement becomes final. The proposed settlement will become final when the Court approves it.

The lawsuit was brought in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, in Brooklyn, New York. The Court is holding a public hearing before deciding whether to give final approval to the proposed settlement.

This notice describes the lawsuit and the terms of the proposed settlement. This notice also describes the process that the Court will use to decide whether to approve the proposed settlement, and what you can do if you have comments or object to the proposed settlement.

What Is The Lawsuit About?

The lawsuit is called Padro et al. v. Colvin. Plaintiffs claimed that certain ALJs in Queens, New York (Michael D. Cofresi, Seymour Fier, Marilyn P. Hoppenfeld, David Z. Nisnewitz, and Hazel C. Strauss) were “generally biased” against people applying for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration denies any wrongdoing or liability. However, the parties are proposing to settle the lawsuit.

Who Are Members Of The Class?

You may be a Class member if you received or will receive an unfavorable or partially favorable decision from one of the five ALJs listed above during the period beginning January 1, 2008, and ending 30 months after the date the proposed settlement becomes final.

What Are The Terms Of The Proposed Settlement?

This notice contains only a summary of the proposed settlement. To fully understand the proposed settlement, you should read the entire proposed settlement agreement. Information about where you can find a copy of the entire proposed settlement agreement appears below.

The proposed settlement provides that:

1. Class members whose claims were denied by one of the five ALJs named above between January 1, 2008, and the date the proposed settlement becomes final will have the right to a new hearing and decision on that claim. The new decision will be made by an ALJ who is not one of the five listed above or, in certain circumstances, may be made by a Social Security Administration attorney advisor or the Social Security Administration's Appeals Council.

2. Class members whose claims are denied by the five ALJs named above during the 30-month period after the date the proposed settlement becomes final will have their claims reviewed by a specified group of staff at the Appeals Council. If a class member's claim is sent for another hearing after an appeal, the claim will be assigned to an ALJ who is not one of the five listed above.

3. The Social Security Administration will provide other relief. This relief relates to ALJ training and to procedures the agency uses to review complaints that an ALJ hearing was unfair.

4. As part of the settlement, lead counsel for class plaintiffs—Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher—agreed to waive its fees. Gibson Dunn's co-counsel, a not-for-profit organization called the Urban Justice Center, will be paid fees of $125,000 for work done on this lawsuit. Those fees are the only funds to be paid by the Social Security Administration in connection with this lawsuit, except for the costs associated with sending the notices described in the proposed settlement.

How Can You Get A Copy of The Proposed Settlement?

You can get a copy of the proposed settlement in one of the following ways:

1. You can read the proposed settlement on the internet at:

   http://www.socialsecurity.gov/padrosettlement

2. You can contact the Urban Justice Center, the lawyers who brought the Padro et al. v. Colvin lawsuit, at (646) 459-3068.

How Will The Court Decide Whether To Approve The Proposed Settlement?

The Court will need to approve the proposed settlement before it becomes final.

The Court is holding a public hearing, called a fairness hearing, to decide if the proposed settlement is fair. The hearing, which began on July 24, 2013, will continue on September 16, 2013 at 9:30 a.m., at the following address:

United States District Court
Eastern District of New York
225 Cadman Plaza East
Brooklyn, New York 11201
Ceremonial Courtroom 2D North

Because the date and time of the hearing could change, please check with the Court before attending.

What Can You Do If You Object To The Settlement Or Have Other Comments?

IF YOU AGREE with the proposed settlement, you do not have to do anything at this time. You have the right to attend the fairness hearing, at the time and place above.

IF YOU DISAGREE OR HAVE COMMENTS about the proposed settlement, you can write to the Court or ask to speak at the hearing. You must do this by writing to the Clerk of the Court, at either:

The following mailing address:

Clerk of the Court
United States District Court
Eastern District of New York
225 Cadman Plaza East
Brooklyn, New York 11201

Or the following email address:

11cv1788@nyed.uscourts.gov

Your written comments or request to speak at the fairness hearing must be postmarked or e-mailed by September 3, 2013.

The Clerk will provide copies of written comments to the lawyers who brought the lawsuit and to the Social Security Administration by filing the comments on the court's electronic case filing system.

If your comments involve your health or other personal information, and you do not want such information to be widely available, you may ask the Court to keep your comments private by requesting that they be filed “under seal.” If you do this, your comments will be seen by the Court and the lawyers and the Social Security Administration, but the comments will not be made public. If you do not say that you want your comments “under seal,” they will become a part of the public record. This means that they will be available online through the Court's public access service. They may be read, downloaded, or distributed by anyone who has an account.

The Court will decide who gets to speak at the fairness hearing.

What Can You Do If You Have Questions?

If you have any questions about this lawsuit or about the proposed settlement, please contact the lawyers who brought the lawsuit at:

Urban Justice Center
Padro Class Counsel
123 William Street, 16^th Floor
New York, New York 10038-3800
Tel. (646) 459-3068
Fax. (212) 533-4598

Attachment 1E-SP (Revised). Notice E – Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement and Fairness Hearing (Spanish)

Aviso del Acuerdo Propuesto de la Demanda Colectiva y de la Audiencia de Equidad referente a los fallos que emitieron ciertos Jueces de Derecho Administrativo en Queens, Nueva York con respecto a solicitudes para recibir los beneficios de Seguro Social por incapacidad

Este aviso es referente a la propuesta del acuerdo de la demanda colectiva referente a los fallos sobre de las solicitudes para recibir los beneficios de Seguro Social por incapacidad emitidos por ciertos Jueces de Derecho Administrativos (ALJs) en Queens, Nueva York. Los beneficios por incapacidad administrados por el Seguro Social incluyen ambos los beneficios de Seguro Social por incapacidad y los pagos de la Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario (SSI) basados en una incapacidad.

El acuerdo propuesto posiblemente afecte sus derechos si recibió o recibirá un fallo desfavorable o favorable en parte referente a su solicitud para recibir los beneficios por incapacidad que uno de los cinco ALJs, nombrados más adelante, en Queens, Nueva York, emitió, durante el periodo de tiempo que comienza el 1 de enero de 2008 y termina 30 meses después de la fecha en que el acuerdo se finaliza. El acuerdo propuesto se finalizará cuando el Tribunal lo apruebe.

La demanda fue ventilada en el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito Este de Nueva York, en Brooklyn, Nueva York. El Tribunal está celebrando una vista pública antes de fallar en lo referente a si darle la aprobación final al acuerdo propuesto.

Este aviso describe la demanda y los términos del acuerdo propuesto. Este aviso también describe el procedimiento que el Tribunal usará para fallar en si aprueba o no el acuerdo propuesto y qué medidas usted puede tomar si tiene comentarios u objeta al acuerdo propuesto.

¿A qué viene la demanda?

La demanda se conoce como Padro et al. v. Colvin. Los demandantes reclaman que ciertos ALJs en Queens, Nueva York (Michael D. Cofresi, Seymour Fier, Marilyn P. Hoppenfeld, David Z. Nisnewitz, y Hazel C. Strauss) estaba «en términos generales prejuiciados» en contra de las personas que solicitan los beneficios de Seguro Social por incapacidad. La Administración del Seguro Social deniega cualquier acto ilegal o responsabilidad. No obstante, las partes interesadas proponen llegar a un acuerdo de la demanda.

¿Quiénes son los miembros de la Demanda Colectiva?

Es posible que usted sea un miembro de la Demanda Colectiva si recibió o recibirá un fallo desfavorable o favorable en parte de uno de los cinco ALJs anteriormente nombrados durante el periodo de tiempo que comienza el 1 de enero de 2008 y termina 30 meses después de la fecha en que el acuerdo se finaliza.

¿Cuáles son los términos del acuerdo propuesto?

Este aviso contiene solo un resumen del acuerdo propuesto. Para poder comprender el acuerdo propuesto debe leer la propuesta del acuerdo de la demanda colectiva en tu totalidad. Más adelante encontrará información acerca de dónde puede encontrar una copia de la propuesta del acuerdo en tu totalidad.

El acuerdo propuesto estipula que:

1. Los miembros de la Demanda Colectiva cuyas solicitudes fueron denegadas por uno de los cinco ALJs anteriormente nombrados entre las fechas del 1 de enero de 2008 y la fecha en que el acuerdo se finaliza, tendrán el derecho a una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo de su solicitud. El nuevo fallo será emitido por un ALJ que no es uno de los cinco ALJs anteriormente mencionados o, bajo ciertas circunstancias, es posible que el fallo sea emitido por un abogado asesor de la Administración del Seguro Social o el Consejo de Apelaciones de la Administración del Seguro Social.

2. Los miembros de la Demanda Colectiva cuyas solicitudes serían denegadas por uno de los cinco ALJs anteriormente nombrados durante el periodo de tiempo de 30 meses después que el acuerdo se finalice, tendrán sus solicitudes revisadas por un grupo específico del Consejo de Apelaciones. Si la solicitud de uno de los miembros de la Demanda Colectiva se le programa otra audiencia después de una apelación, dicha solicitud será asignada a un ALJ quien no es uno de los cinco ALJs anteriormente nombrado.

3. La Administración del Seguro Social proveerá otra mitigación. Cuando nos hacemos referencia a mitigación, nos referimos a la capacitación de los ALJs y a los procedimientos que la agencia utiliza para revisar las querellas referentes a si una audiencia con un ALJ fue parcial.

4. Como parte del acuerdo, los abogados principales de la Demanda Colectiva—Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher—acordaron no exigir honorarios. A los abogados adjuntos al bufete de Gibson Dunn, una organización sin fines de lucro llamada Urban Justice Center, se les pagará honorarios por la cantidad de $125,000 por sus servicios prestados en referencia a esta demanda. Estos honorarios serán los únicos fondos que pagará la Administración del Seguro Social en conexión a esta demanda, excepto por los gastos asociados con el envío de los avisos descritos en el acuerdo propuesto.

¿Cómo puedo conseguir una copia del acuerdo propuesto?

Puede conseguir una copia del acuerdo propuesto por medio de una de estas maneras:

1. Puede leer el acuerdo propuesto en esta página de Internet:

   www.segurosocial.gov/padrosettlement (solo disponible en inglés).

2. Puede comunicarse con el «Urban Justice Center», los abogados que presentaron la demanda de Padro et al. v. Colvin, llamándolos al (646) 459-3068.

¿Cómo decidirá el Tribunal si aprobar o no el acuerdo propuesto?

El Tribunal necesitará aprobar el acuerdo propuesto antes de que éste se finalice.

El Tribunal está celebrando una vista pública, conocida como una audiencia de equidad, para decidir si el acuerdo propuesto es justo. La vista pública, que comenzó el 24 de julio de 2013, continuará el 16 de septiembre de 2013, a las 9:30 a.m., en la siguiente dirección:

United States District Court
Eastern District of New York
225 Cadman Plaza East
Brooklyn, New York 11201
Ceremonial Courtroom 2D North

Ya que es posible que cambie la fecha y hora de la vista pública, así que por favor comuníquese con el Tribunal antes de presentarse.

¿Qué debe hacer si objeta al acuerdo o tiene otros comentarios?

SI ESTÁ DE ACUERDO con el acuerdo propuesto, no tiene que hacer nada más. Usted tiene el derecho de asistir a la audiencia de equidad, a la hora y en la dirección antes indicada.

SI NO ESTÁ DE ACUERDO O TIENE OTROS COMENTARIOS acerca del acuerdo propuesto, puede escribirle directamente al Tribunal o puede ventilar su desacuerdo o sus comentarios durante la vista pública. Para hacerle saber al Tribunal su intención, tiene que hacerlo por escrito dirigiéndose al «Clerk of the Court» (Secretario del Tribunal) a una de las dos siguientes direcciones:

Dirección postal:

Clerk of the Court
United States District Court
Eastern District of New York
225 Cadman Plaza East
Brooklyn, New York 11201

O a la siguiente dirección de correo electrónico:

11cv1788@nyed.uscourts.gov

Sus comentarios o su petición para poder ventilar su desacuerdo o sus comentarios durante la audiencia de equidad por escrito tienen que estar franqueadas o enviadas por correo electrónico hasta el 3 de septiembre de 2013.

El Secretario del Tribunal le proporcionará copias de sus comentarios por escrito a los abogados que presentaron la demanda colectiva, al igual que a la Administración del Seguro Social, de manera de presentar los comentarios en el sistema electrónico de presentar casos mantenido por el Tribunal.

Si sus comentarios incluyen asuntos pertinentes a su salúd o alguna otra información personal y si no quiere que esta información sea divulgada, usted le puede pedir al Secretario del Tribunal que mantenga sus comentarios en privado de manera que se mantendrán «sellados». Si decide hacer esto, sus comentarios estarán a la disposición del Tribunal, los abogados y la Administración del Seguro Social, pero los comentarios no se publicarán. Si no expresa que no quiere que sus comentarios sean «sellados», entonces sus comentarios vendrán a ser parte del registro público. Esto significa que estarán disponibles por Internet por medio del servicio de acceso público del Tribunal. Sus comentarios podrán ser leídos, descargados o distribuidos por cualquier persona que tenga una cuenta con el Tribunal.

El Tribunal decidirá a quién le permitirá ventilar sus desacuerdos o comentarios durante la audiencia de equidad.

¿Qué debe hacer si tiene alguna pregunta?

Si tiene alguna pregunta referente a esta demanda colectiva o referente al acuerdo propuesto, por favor comuníquese a la siguiente dirección y teléfono con los abogados que presentaron esta demanda colectiva:

Urban Justice Center
Padro Class Counsel
123 William Street, 16^th Floor
New York, New York 10038-3800
Tel. (646) 459-3068
Fax. (212) 533-4598

Attachment 2. Route Slip/Case Flag with Alert: Possible Padro Class Action Case for Screening

SCREENING NECESSARY

Attachment 3. Padro Case Retrospective Relief Screening Sheet

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING PADRO SCREENING SHEET

Complete a screening sheet in cases where the claimant has requested relief under the Padro settlement.

Questions 1 - 4

You must consider all applications decided during the period covered by the court order when making the class membership determination. A SEPARATE SCREENING SHEET MUST BE PREPARED FOR EACH CLAIM NUMBER. If a claimant has more than one application during the period covered by the court order, use different screening sheets for each claim. If the claims are electronic, ensure the screening sheet is uploaded in the corresponding entry in eView.

Fill in the identifying information as requested. Make sure the Claim Number, BIC/ID and SSN, are correct and legible. (If SSN is different from claim number, copy SSN from BOAN/PAN field on alert).

Question 5

Fill in the member/nonmember information in question 5 when the screening process is completed.

Questions 6 - 17 - General

1. In a multiple claims case, begin screening with the earliest claim in the Padro period and stop with the last claim in the Padro period. Remember, a separate screening sheet must be completed for each claim number, and for each application in the period covered in the court order.

2. Read the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)/Appeals Council (AC)/U.S.D.C. (court) decision to answer the questions.

3. If the decision does not yield enough information to answer the questions, look further into the record.

4. If questions 6-8b are answered “NO,” or questions 9-13 are answered “YES,” check the nonmember block found in item 5.b. on the screening sheet, then enter the appropriate screen-out code in Item 5.c. as directed in question 14 on the screening sheet.

5. Remember to follow instructions for members/nonmembers.

Question 6

Review the file and case control queries to determine if the claimant received an unfavorable or partially favorable decision on the merits of a claim for disability benefits (including Age 18 Disability Redeterminations and cessations resulting from continuing disability reviews) under Title II or Title XVI of the Social Security Act by one of the 5 ALJs named in the Padro settlement. If information in the file or the case control queries indicates that the claimant did not receive an unfavorable or partially favorable decision from one of the 5 ALJs, the claimant is not a class member eligible for relief.

Question 7

Screen for the date of the decision, not date of application. Claimants are potentially eligible for retrospective relief if they were issued an unfavorable or partially favorable decision on their claim for disability benefits from one of the 5 ALJs between January 1, 2008 and October 18, 2013.

Question 8

Review the file and case control queries. If necessary, access the civil action filing through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. If the court either affirmed the ALJ's decision, or remanded but expressly declined to reassign the remanded claim to a different ALJ, the claimant is not a class member eligible for relief.

However, the claimant may still be eligible for retrospective relief if there is a motion pending under Rule 59 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure on December 18, 2013. If PACER indicates that a Rule 59 motion is pending, send an email to ^ODAR HQ OAO Padro for further screening instructions.

Question 9

Review the file and case control queries. Review all subsequent administrative and judicial determinations to determine if the decision referred to in Question 6 was changed to a fully favorable decision.

Question 10

Review the file and case control queries. Determine if the claimant received a fully favorable decision on another claim that amounts to a fully favorable decision on the potential class member claim. This requirement would be met if the decision on the other claim resulted in an award of benefits for the entire time period(s) at issue in the potential class member claim.

Question 11

Review the file and case control queries to determine if the claimant received a new hearing and decision (whether favorable or unfavorable), from an ALJ other than one of the 5 named above, on the potential class member claim, that considered the entire time period(s) at issue.

Question 12

Review case control queries to determine if the potential class member claim is currently pending with an ALJ other than one of 5 named above.

Question 13

Review the file and case control queries. Determine whether there is any other reason that the claimant is not eligible for relief under the settlement. This may include that the claimant did not return the response form timely, and did not have good cause.

Question 14

Self-explanatory

Question 15

Fill in the dates of the application(s), decision(s) and the level of adjudication of the final decision(s) that were reviewed in deciding class membership for the claim number in item 4. Remember that you must prepare a separate screening sheet for each claim number, and a separate screening sheet for each application in the period covered in the court order.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEMBERS

1. Check the “MEMBER ELIGIBLE FOR RELIEF” block in item 5 a. of the screening sheet.

2. Sign the form. Place it in the claim file if it is paper, or scan it into the B section of the claimant's electronic folder using a barcode with the “Misc Jurisdictional Documents/notice” document type if electronic.

3. If the claim file is paper, bring a copy of the screening sheet to:

   Appeals Council
   Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
   5170 Leesburg Pike
   Suite 1400
   Attn: Padro Coordinator

   If the claim is electronic, notify the EDO via email to ^ODAR HQ OAO Padro.

4. Follow HALLEX I-5-4-71, Part III.D.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR NONMEMBERS

1. Check the “NONMEMBER/MEMBER NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RELIEF” block in item 5 a. and enter the appropriate screen-out code (the number of the question that determined the claimant is not a class member, numbers 6-13, see Item 14 on the screening sheet) in item 5.c.

2. Follow items b and c above.

3. Prepare and send the class membership denial notice (Attachment 5) to the claimant with a copy to his/her representative, if any. If the claim is paper, retain a copy of the denial letter in the claim file. If electronic, scan it into the B section of the claimant's electronic folder using a barcode with the “Misc Jurisdictional Documents/notice” document type. Forward the claim file(s) as indicated in HALLEX I-5-4-71, Part III.D.

Attachment 4. Routing and Transmittal Slip for Forwarding of Padro Class Claim

TO:

Initials:

REMARKS

PADRO CASE

Claimant:___________________________

SSN:___________________________

We have determined that this claimant is a Padro class member entitled to retrospective relief (see screening sheet). We are forwarding this file to the hearing office, which should follow normal procedures for updating the file.

Attachment 5. Padro Notice of Non-Class Membership/Ineligibility for Retrospective Relief

Important Information

SOCIAL SECURITY NOTICE

From: Social Security Administration

Claimant Name________________ Date: ______________

Claimant Address_______________ Claim Number: ____________________

____________________________ DOB: ___________________________

THIS NOTICE IS ABOUT YOUR PAST CLAIM FOR SOCIAL SECURITY OR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME BENEFITS

PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY!

You asked us to consider your case under the terms of the Padro et al v. Colvin settlement agreement. We have looked at your case and decided that you are not eligible for a new hearing decision (readjudication) under the Padro settlement agreement.

The reason you are not eligible for a new hearing decision is checked below.

• You did not receive an unfavorable or partially favorable decision issued between January 1, 2008 and October 18, 2013, by one of the following five Administrative Law Judges (ALJs): Michael D. Cofresi, Seymour Fier, Marilyn P. Hoppenfeld, David Z. Nisnewitz, and Hazel C. Strauss (the named ALJs).

• The decision you received from a named ALJ was not about your claim for Social Security disability benefits or SSI payments based on a disability.

• You appealed a relevant decision of a named ALJ to the United States District Court, and the Court found either: (1) that the ALJ's decision was correct, or (2) that the ALJ's decision was incorrect, but there was no reason for your case to go back to a different ALJ for additional proceedings on remand.

• The unfavorable or partially favorable decision in your case was changed to a fully favorable decision following appeal, remand, or reopening.

• You filed a subsequent claim for benefits and have already received all the benefits you could receive based on your Padro claim.

• Your Padro claim was remanded and you already received, or will receive, a new hearing decision by an ALJ other than a named ALJ.

• Your request was not timely.

• Other:________________________________________________________________

  _____________________________________________________________________

  _____________________________________________________________________

This Notice Is Not a Determination About Whether You Are Disabled

It is important for you to understand that we are not making a decision about whether you are disabled. We are deciding only that you are not eligible for a new decision under the Padro et al v. Colvin settlement agreement.

If You Disagree With This Determination

You should contact the Urban Justice Center, the lawyers who brought the Padro et al. v. Colvin lawsuit, immediately. The lawyers will have 60 days from the date you receive this notice to appeal our determination. You can contact the Urban Justice Center at:

Urban Justice Center
Padro Class Counsel
Church Street Station
P.O. Box 3363
New York, New York 10008-3363
Tel. (646) 459-3068
Fax. (212) 533-4598

If You Want More Information

More information about the Padro et al. v. Colvin settlement is available on our website located at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/padrosettlement. You can also contact the lawyers who brought the Padro et al. v. Colvin lawsuit. We have listed the contact information for the lawyers who brought the Padro et al. v. Colvin lawsuit in the section directly above.

Attachment 5a. Padro Notice of Non-Class Membership/Ineligibility for Retrospective Relief (Spanish)

Información Importante

AVISO DEL SEGURO SOCIAL

De: La Administración del Seguro Social

ESTE AVISO ES REFERENTE A SU ANTIGUA RECLAMACIÓN PARA RECIBIR LOS BENEFICIOS DE SEGURO SOCIAL O DE
SEGURIDAD DE INGRESO SUPLEMENTARIO

¡POR FAVOR LEALO DETENIDAMENTE!

Usted solicitó que nosotros tomáramos en consideración su caso en conformidad con las condiciones del acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro et al v. Colvin. Hemos revisado su caso y hemos determinado que usted no tiene derecho a una nueva audiencia y un nuevo fallo (volver a fallar) en conformidad con el acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro.

La razón por la que usted no tiene derecho a un nuevo fallo por audiencia se indica a seguir.

• Usted no recibió un fallo desfavorable o desfavorable en parte emitido entre las fechas del 1 de enero de 2008 y 18 de octubre de 2013 por uno de los cinco siguientes Jueces de Derecho Administrativo (ALJ): Michael D. Cofresi, Seymour Fier, Marilyn P. Hoppenfeld, David Z. Nisnewitz y Hazel C. Strauss (los ALJ nombrados).

• El fallo que emitió uno de los ALJ nombrados en su reclamación no era en referente a su reclamación para recibir los beneficios por incapacidad de Seguro Social o de Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario (SSI).

• Usted apeló a el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos un fallo pertinente emitido por unos de los ALJ nombrados y el Tribunal falló: (1) que el ALJ había fallado correctamente o (2) que el ALJ había fallado incorrectamente pero que no existía razón para justificar que su caso fuera devuelto a un ALJ diferente para procedimiento judicial adicional.

• El fallo favorable o en parte favorable en su reclamación fue cambiada a un fallo completamente favorable después de una apelación, devolución del caso o re-apertura del mismo.

• Usted presento una reclamación subsiguiente para beneficios y ya recibió todos los beneficios disponibles que usted podría recibir en conformidad con el acuerdo de la demanda colectiva Padro.

• Su caso fue devuelto y ya se le celebró o se le celebrará una nueva audiencia para un fallo por un ALJ que no es uno de los ALJ nombrados conforme al caso Padro.

• No presentó su petición a tiempo.

• Otra: _______________________________________________________

  _________________________________________________________________

  _________________________________________________________________

Este aviso no es una determinación referente a si está o no está incapacitado

Es importante que usted entienda que no estamos tomando una decisión referente a si está o no está incapacitado. Nuestra decisión solo estipula que usted no tiene derecho a un nuevo fallo en conformidad con el acuerdo de la demanda colectiva del caso Padro et al v. Colvin.

Si usted no está de acuerdo con esta determinación

Debe comunicarse inmediatamente con el Urban Justice Center, los abogados que presentaron la demanda colectiva Padro et al v. Colvin. Los abogados tendrán 60 días a partir de la fecha en que usted reciba este aviso para apelar nuestro fallo. A seguir, encontrará la información para comunicarse con el Urban Justice Center:

Urban Justice Center
Padro Class Counsel
Church Street Station
P.O. Box 3363
New York, New York 10008-3363
Tel. (646) 459-3068
Fax. (212) 533-4598

Si quiere informarse mejor

Puede informarse mejor acerca del acuerdo de la demanda colectiva del caso Padro et al v. Colvin en nuestro sitio de Internet, www.segurosocial.gov/padrosettlement (solo disponible en inglés). También puede comunicarse directamente con los abogados representantes en la demanda colectiva del caso Padro et al v. Colvin. Hemos divulgado la información de contacto de los abogados del caso Padro et al v. Colvin en la sección anterior.

Attachment 6. Route Slip for Forwarding Padro Class Action Claim File(s) When Eligibility Determination is Disputed

REMARKS

Padro Case

Claimant: ___________________________

SSN: ___________________________

We have determined that this claimant is not a Padro class member eligible for retrospective relief. (See screening sheet and copy of notice of non-class membership/ineligibility for relief in the attached claim file(s).) We are forwarding this file to your office because the claimant disputes the non-class membership determination and has asked to review the file.

Attachment

DO NOT use this form as a RECORD of approvals, concurrences, disposals, clearances, and similar actions.