0960-AJ01 202510 The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 0960 Social Security Administration SSA Standardizing Requesting and Scheduling Hearings Before an Administrative Law Judge

Current regulations allow a claimant to request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ) by filing a written request (20 CFR 404.933(a) and 416.1433(a)).  Claimants overwhelmingly use form HA-501 to request a hearing, but can also submit a letter or other written document (HALLEX I-2-0-40). We propose to revise our regulations to make form HA-501 (Request for Hearing by Administrative Law Judge) mandatory to request a hearing before an ALJ. We also propose to consolidate form HA-501 with form HA-55, Notice of Ways to Attend a Hearing, and form HA-56, Agreement to Appearing by Online Video form (HA-56). This proposal will reduce processing time for each case, improve customer service, and streamline our process for scheduling hearings.

]]> Other Significant Previously Published in The Unified Agenda Proposed Rule Stage No No Deregulatory 20 CFR 404.938 and 416.1438 20 CFR 404.935 and 416.1435 20 CFR 404.933 and 416.1433 20 CFR 404.936 and 416.1436 20 CFR 416.1453 20 CFR 416.1411 42 U.S.C 1383(c)(2) Yes

These changes would streamline our hearings process, increase flexibility, and improve customer service.

]]> NPRM 07/00/2026 No No None No No No No Susan Swansiger Director, Division of Field Procedures 0960 Social Security Administration SSA 703 605-8500 susan.j.swansiger@ssa.gov Disability Adjudication, 250 E Street SW, Washington DC 20024