Background

This transmittal amends chapter I-3-1 of the Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law (HALLEX) manual to update instructions for providing Spanish language translations of notices at the Appeals Council level and ensuring that documents in any language other than English are translated.

Explanation of Content and Changes

HALLEX I-3-1 is amended as follows:

I-3-1-60 – We changed the title to “Providing Spanish Language Translations of Notices” to more accurately reflect the content of the section.

I-3-1-60 A – We changed the title to “When to Provide Spanish Language Notices” to more accurately reflect the content of the subsection. We incorporated the information previously in subsections A, B, and C, removing unnecessary language and changing the language to more closely mirror that in HALLEX I-2-3-45. We made several editorial and formatting changes to the language, including removing language and replacing it with a citation to the Program Operations Manual System.

I-3-1-60 B – We moved the information previously in the subsection to subsection A and retitled the subsection “Procedures.” We incorporated information previously in subsections D and E, and added language to more closely mirror that in HALLEX I-2-3- 45.

I-3-1-60 C – We moved the information previously in the subsection to subsection A and removed the subsection in its entirety.

I-3-1-60 D – We moved the information previously in the subsection to subsection B and removed the subsection in its entirety.

I-3-1-60 E – We moved the information previously in the subsection to subsection B and removed the subsection in its entirety.

I-3-1-60 F – We moved the information previously in the subsection to new HALLEX I-3-1-62 and removed the subsection in its entirety.

I-3-1-62 – We titled the new section “Translation of Claim(s) File Documents” and incorporated information previously in HALLEX I-3-1-60 F. We updated the information consistent with current procedures, added missing instructions, and made other editorial changes.

Date: November 19, 2018