Background

This transmittal amends section I-2-3-20 of the Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law (HALLEX) manual to update instructions for contacting a claimant or representative, if any, when he or she has not returned the form HA-504, Acknowledgment of Receipt (Notice of Hearing). 20 CFR 404.938 and 416.1438.

Explanation of Content and Changes

This transmittal revises HALLEX I-2-3-20 as follows:

I-2-3-20 B – We updated and clarified the action that Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) staff will take if a claimant or appointed representative does not return an acknowledgment of the notice of hearing. In particular, we updated the procedures to reflect that OHO staff will attempt to contact the claimant or representative, if any, and we removed the requirement that OHO staff personally speak to the claimant or representative when staff attempts to contact the claimant or representative by telephone. 20 CFR 404.938 and 416.1438.

Date: February 23, 2021