On December 27, 2011 we reported on this blog about the Social Security Disability system’s new secrecy rule keeping the identity of the judge who will handle a claimant’s hearing secret until the day of the hearing.
The National Organization of Social Security Claims Representatives (NOSSCR) is reporting that under pressure from repeated Freedom of Information Act requests that this unfair rule is being overturned. According to NOSSCR SSA will “… once again, provide the name of the ALJ assigned to each case beginning April 20, 2013….Congressional interest in advocating that the policy of non-disclosure of ALJ names be rescinded was very important. We thank all of you who brought this matter to your Congressional delegation….It is clear that successful FOIA litigation increased the pressure to rescind the policy… [from SSA] As we discussed this morning, we have reviewed our decision to not disclose the name of the ALJ assigned to hear a case until the day of the hearing. We are making the following changes as a result of our review…Beginning on April 20, the agency will resume disclosing the name of the ALJ assigned to a hearing when it sends out a Notice of Hearing.”
This reversal in policy by the SSA is a great victory for disabled claimants who for over a year have been unable to know prior to the day of their hearing which judge will hear their case. A review of the widely different approval rates of the various judges shows that knowing what judge you have matters greatly in your likelihood of success and how your case must be prepared.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-562-9830
For more information, contact Texas Social Security Disability attorney, Marc Whitehead at 800-562-9830 or visit disabilitydenials.com.
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