I-2-0-19.Notice of Ways to Attend a Hearing

A. Sending a Notice of Ways to Attend a Hearing

OHO management, through designated staff, will send the Notice of Ways to Attend a Hearing (HA-L54) at the same time as they send the Acknowledgment of Request for Hearing Letter. See Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law (HALLEX) manual I-2-0-20 for when to send the Acknowledgment Letter. However, to highlight the importance of the Notice of Ways to Attend a Hearing, they will send the notice in a separate mailing from the Acknowledgment Letter. The notice will include a copy of the publication, “Your Options for How to Attend Your Hearing,” and the forms “Objection to Appearing by Audio or Agency Video” (HA-55) and “Agreement to Appearing by Online Video” (HA-56).

B. Content of a Notice of Ways to Attend a Hearing

In general, the Notice of Ways to Attend a Hearing must advise the claimant of the four ways to attend a hearing:

• in person at a Social Security Administration (SSA) office, such as a hearing office or a permanent remote site;

• by audio using a telephone or similar audio-based technology;

• by agency video using video equipment provided by SSA at an SSA office, such as a hearing office or a permanent remote site; or

• by online video using a personal electronic device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer with an internet connection, in a private location.

Additionally, in general, the Notice of Ways to Attend a Hearing must advise the claimant of:

• what to do if they do not want to attend the hearing by audio or agency video;

• what to do if they agree to attend the hearing by online video; and

• how to review evidence when attending the hearing by audio, agency video, or online video.

C. Routing the Notice of Ways to Attend a Hearing