Background

This transmittal amends Chapter I-1-1 of the Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law (HALLEX) manual to update instructions and references to form SSA-1695, Identifying Information for Possible Direct Payment of Authorized Fees, as that form is now obsolete following the revision to form SSA-1696. It also adds instructions on, and references to, using the Registration, Appointment and Services for Representatives (RASR) application. We also made editorial and other changes throughout the sections for clarity and readability.

Explanation of Content and Changes

I-1-1-10 – We revised the information in subsections A and B to improve readability. In subsection A we revised the two NOTEs clarifying what types of signatures are acceptable from the claimant and the representative on the written notice of appointment. We also revised the NOTE that cross-referenced HALLEX I-1-1-11 for processing a notice of appointment and added as a NOTE information removed from HALLEX I-1-1-11 B that a notice of appointment may be combined with another document such as a fee agreement. We revised subsections C and D for clarity.

I-1-1-11 – We revised the title and updated the section to clarify how we will process a written notice of appointment, and made editorial changes and updated links to the forms, POMS sections, and contact information referenced throughout the section. In subsection A, we revised the information on what constitutes a valid notice of appointment, referring to HALLEX I-1-1-10 A. We removed subsection B and relocated the information to HALLEX I-1-1- 10, as it describes policy on written notices of appointment. With the removal of subsection B, subsections C through E became new subsections B through D. We reorganized the information in the new subsection B to eliminate duplicate information. We renamed the new subsection B.1., added references to RASR, and indicted that no updates were needed to the Hearings and Appeals Case Processing System . We revised the instructions for Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) staff using RASR. We revised the NOTE clarifying that OHO and Office of Appellate Operations staff cannot update registered representatives' contact information in RASR but will update the information in the Case Processing and Management Systemor the Appeals Review Processing System. We renamed the new subsection B.2., modified the presentation of information for clarity and added instructions related to documenting a representative's appointment in the claim(s) file. We added a cross- reference to OHO-specific instructions. We removed information specific to OHO about updating contact information prior to requesting a consultative examination. We added a reference to RASR in the new subsection C and revised the NOTE with OHO-specific instructions related to RASR. We added a NOTE at the end of the new subsection D about the completion and processing of now-obsolete Form SSA-1695.

I-1-1-30 – We revised the information in subsection A. In both subsections B and C, we added references to the availability of Form SSA-1696 SUP-1 and Form SSA-1696 SUP-2 for revoking and withdrawing representation, respectively. In subsections B and C, we reorganized the presentation of information for clarity. We moved information about documenting the file, updating the system, and notifying the field office to a new subsection D. The new subsection D gives instructions on processing the termination (revocation/withdrawal) of a representative and includes a note regarding automated notices in RASR. With the addition of a new subsection D, former subsections D and E are now subsections E and F. We made minor editorial changes to the new subsections D and E.

I-1-1-57 – We reorganized the information in the section for clarity and topical consistency and updated language for gender neutrality. In subsection A, we added a cross reference to HALLEX I-1-2-9. We updated subsection B to reflect that the list of suspended and disqualified representatives is now contained in RASR. We made minor editorial changes to subsection C.

Date: November 14, 2022