Background

We updated this chapter to reflect new organizational structures and nomenclature in the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR). We updated these instructions to include the procedures currently used by hearing offices (HO), the Office of Appellate Operations (OAO), the Congressional and Public Affairs Branch (CPAB), and the Executive Communications Branch (ECB).

Explanation of Content and Changes

We amended sections I-1-6-1 “Congressional Inquiries at Hearing Offices” to reflect current ODAR organization and nomenclature and to reflect current HO procedures and interaction with CPAB. Section I-1-6-10 “Congressional Inquiries at Headquarters” now reflects current CPAB, OAO, and ECB procedures and interactions.

We deleted section I-1-6-90 “Samples” to reflect that HO notices are now prepared using the Document Generation System (DGS).

Date: November 2, 2010