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SSA

RIN: 0960-AJ01

Publication ID: 2026

Title: Standardizing Requesting and Scheduling Hearings Before an Administrative Law Judge
Abstract: 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.
Agency: Social Security Administration(SSA)	Priority: Other Significant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage
Major: No	Unfunded Mandates: No
EO 14192 Designation: Deregulatory
CFR Citation: 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
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C 1383(c)(2)

Legal Deadline: None

Statement of Need:

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

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
NPRM	07/00/2026

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No	Government Levels Affected: None
Small Entities Affected: No	Federalism: No
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No
Agency Contact: Susan Swansiger Director, Division of Field Procedures Social Security Administration Disability Adjudication, 250 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20024 Phone:703 605-8500 Email: susan.j.swansiger@ssa.gov