P.L. 97–455, Approved January 12, 1983 (96 Stat. 2497)

SEC. 5. [42 U.S.C. 405 note]  CONDUCT OF FACE-TO-FACE RECONSIDERATIONS IN DISABILITY CASES.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall take such steps as may be necessary or appropriate to assure public understanding of the importance the Congress attaches to the face-to-face reconsiderations provided for in section 205(b)(2) of the Social Security Act (as added by section 4 of this Act). For this purpose the Secretary shall—

(1)  provide for the establishment and implementation of procedures for the conduct of such reconsiderations in a manner which assures that beneficiaries will receive reasonable notice and information with respect to the time and place of reconsideration and the opportunities afforded to introduce evidence and be represented by counsel; and

(2)  advise beneficiaries who request or are entitled to request such reconsiderations of the procedures so established, of their opportunities to introduce evidence and be represented by counsel at such reconsiderations, and of the importance of submitting all evidence that relates to the question before the Secretary or the State agency at such reconsiderations.