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Hearings and Appeals
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Information About Social Security's Hearings and Appeals Process

How to...

Request a Hearing
Request Appeals Council Review
Locate a Hearing Office
File an Unfair Hearing Complaint
Submit a Proposed Decision to an ALJ Using FIT

Today's ODAR

About the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR)
Why You Should Have Your Hearing By Video
Hearing Office Locator
Best Practices for Claimants' Representatives
Findings Integrated Templates (FIT) Download for Representatives  
Job Opportunities
Legal Career Opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

Hearing & Appeals Process
Video Hearings

Resources

Electronic Disability Guide (eDG)
Social Security Handbook
Policy/Research
Disability Programs
Program/Actuarial Data
Social Security Law, Regulations and Rules
SSA Advisory Board
Facts and Figures
    The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) administers the hearings and appeals program for the Social Security Administration (SSA). Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) conduct hearings and issue decisions. The Appeals Council considers appeals from hearing decisions, and acts as the final level of administrative review for the Social Security Administration.

Choose below to obtain detailed information about the Hearings and Appeals  processes and the Federal Court Review process.

Hearings and Appeals Link to information about the hearing process. Link to information about the Appeals Process
Link to information about the Court process.

Now Available:

Hearings Backlog Reduction Update Booklets    Fiscal Year 2009, Third Quarter through June   (Posted: 09/16/2009)

Did You Know...

You have the right to question Social Security's decision on your case?


Hearing Backlog Initiatives

Plan to Eliminate the Hearing Backlog and Prevent Its Recurrence
    Annual Report - FY 2008  Adobe Reader Download Page
Social Security Administration Attacks Disability Backlog - October 9, 2007 Press Release
Plan to Reduce the Hearings Backlog and Improve Public Service at the Social Security Administration  Adobe Reader Download Page
Testimony of Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, before the Senate Finance Committee on SSA's plans to reduce Disability backlogs
Summary of Initiatives to Eliminate the SSA Hearing Backlog - Addendum




Information about Representation
Information For You
Representing Claimants
Best Practices for Claimants' Representatives




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Last reviewed or modified Friday Nov 20, 2009
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