I-2-0-20.Acknowledgement of Request for Hearing

Last Update: 11/25/24 (Transmittal I-2-259)

A. Sending an Acknowledgement Letter

The hearing office (HO) must acknowledge receipt of a request for hearing (RH) as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days after the HO receives the RH.

B. Content of an Acknowledgement Letter

In general, the acknowledgement letter must advise the claimant of:

  • the right to submit additional evidence;

  • the right to be represented; and

  • the separate notice that we will send explaining the various ways to attend a hearing, the requirements for each appearance type, the ability to object to attending by audio or agency video, and the ability to agree to attending by online video possible manners of appearance.

See the HO Standard Hearings Operations Procedure section 1.4 for additional guidance on acknowledgement letters.

C. Routing the Acknowledgement Letter

1. Represented Claimant

If the claimant has an appointed representative, the HO will send the acknowledgement letter to the representative with a copy to the claimant.

2. Unrepresented Claimant

If the claimant does not have an appointed representative, the HO will send the acknowledgement letter to the claimant with a list of organizations that may provide representation. If the letter cannot be sent through central print, see the sample letter in the Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law manual I-2-0-92.