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SSA

RIN: 0960-AE97

Publication ID: Spring 2002

Title: OASDI and SSI; Administrative Review Process; Video Teleconferencing Appearances Before Administrative Law Judges of the Social Security Administration (737F)
Abstract: This final rule revises our rules to permit us to conduct hearings before an administrative law judge (ALJ) at which a party or parties to the hearing and/or witness or witnesses may appear before the ALJ by video teleconference (VTC). The revised rules provide that if we schedule a hearing as one at which a party would appear by VTC, rather than in person, and the party objects to use of that procedure, we will reschedule the hearing as one at which the party may appear in person.
Agency: Social Security Administration(SSA)	Priority: Other Significant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage
Major: No	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 20 CFR 404.929 20 CFR 404.936 20 CFR 404.938 20 CFR 404.950 20 CFR 416.1429 20 CFR 416.1436 20 CFR 416.1438
Legal Authority: 42 USC 205(a) 42 USC 205(b) 42 USC 902(a)(5)

Legal Deadline: None

Statement of Need: Our regulations provide for a hearing in person before an ALJ. Traditionally, this has meant that the individual requesting a hearing makes his or her appearance in the same room as the ALJ. These changes will allow us to schedule a party to appear by VTC without requiring prior written consent, and set out the right of the party to decline such an appearance. We believe that conducting hearings by VTC will improve our efficiency and allow us to improve the service we can provide to individuals requesting a hearing. The VTC provision will aid in reducing the average processing time for hearings by eliminating much of the time some ALJ's must spend to travel to remote sites to conduct hearings face-to-face.

Summary of the Legal Basis: None.

Alternatives: Require participation in a scheduled VTC appearance with no right to decline a VTC appearance.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: Improved public service by providing faster access to a hearing.

Risks: None.

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
NPRM	01/05/2001	66 FR 1059
NPRM Comment Period End	03/06/2001
Final Action	08/00/2002

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No	Government Levels Affected: None
Small Entities Affected: No	Federalism: No
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes
Related RINs: Previously reported as 0960-AA05
Agency Contact: Cynthia Pullen-Carroll Social Insurance Specialist Social Security Administration 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401 Phone:410 965-3691