Background

This transmittal amends chapter I-1-3 in the Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law (HALLEX) manual. The amendments to the chapter include updating existing instructions and adding new instructions. The new instructions include several new sections setting forth the general policy for the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) to refer suspected criminal violations to the Office of the Inspector General.

Explanation of Content and Changes

I-1-3-1 – We moved the information previously in the section to new section I-1-3-3, and renamed the section “Distinguishing Between the Office of the Inspector General and Cooperative Disability Investigations Units.” The section distinguishes between the two offices in purpose, scope, organization, and outcome achieved.

I-1-3-2 – We moved the information previously in the section to I-1-3-6 and deleted section I-1-3-2.

I-1-3-3 – We moved the information previously in the section to new section I-1-3-9. We inserted the information previously in section I-1-3-1, and renamed the section “Actions Subject to Criminal Prosecution for Fraud” to more clearly define the purpose of the section. We made minor editorial and formatting changes to the information.

I-1-3-4 – We moved the information previously in the section to I-1-3-12 and deleted section I-1-3-4.

I-1-3-6 – We added a new section titled “Reporting Fraud or Criminal Violations by Representatives,” and included the information previously in I-1-3-2. We updated the information and added new instructions explaining how to refer suspected criminal violations by appointed representatives.

I-1-3-9 – We added a new section titled “Reporting Fraud or Criminal Violations by Employees, Contractors, or Members of the Public,” and included the information previously in I-1-3-3. We updated the information and added new instructions for referring possible fraud or criminal violations to the Office of the Inspector General and Social Security Administration management.

I-1-3-12 – We added a new section titled “Referrals From the Office of the Inspector General Regarding Suspected Misconduct and Criminal Violations,” and included the information previously in I-1-3-4. We updated the instructions and explained how the referrals will be processed within ODAR.

I-1-3-90 – We modified the title to “List of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Field Divisions,” and removed outdated information. We added a reference to the Program Operations Manual System (POMS) section that is up-to-date. Consistent with the POMS section, the HALLEX section is also designated “sensitive.”

I-1-3-91 – We updated the title to “Exhibit-Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Allegation Management and Fugitive Enforcement Division-Response Attachment.” We removed outdated and irrelevant introductory information, but made no changes to the Response Attachment.

Date: December 13, 2013