Background

This transmittal amends section I-2-8-55 of the Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law (HALLEX) manual to update and clarify procedures when the post office returns a decision to a hearing office as “undeliverable.” These revisions were necessary for consistency with HALLEX I-2-4-25, I-2-4-55, and I-2-5-69.

Explanation of Content and Changes

We revised section I-2-8-55 as follows:

I-2-8-55 A – We added a new subsection titled “Claimant's Copy Returned as Undeliverable.” We added a sub-subsection titled “Locating a New Address,” removed outdated instructions relating to querying public databases and records, and incorporated updated instructions consistent with recent changes to HALLEX I-2-4-25 and I-2-4-55. We added two additional sub-subsections titled “Updated Address Located” and “Updated Address Not Located.” We made minor editorial changes to the language and incorporated appropriate instructions for electronic case processing.

I-2-8-55 B – We added a new subsection titled “Representative's Copy Returned as Undeliverable.” We added an instruction that hearing office staff will first attempt to contact a representative by telephone if the representative's copy of a notice of decision and decision is returned as undeliverable. We made minor editorial and formatting changes and incorporated appropriate instructions for electronic case processing.

Date: September 19, 2014