Corona Pandemic is not going to end soon and we cannot sit at home. Businesses and services are getting back on track, but everything has to move on with some rules and regulations. In Corona times many people in United States are looking towards their social security benefits, which are a long process, but still there are services being provided by the SSA. In case you are waiting for your hearing or have any questions in mind then this F&Q section is going to help.
Is envoy payee
monitoring continuing during corona times?
Yes it is being continuing and P&A networks will be
conducting new monitoring reviews of the representative payee in person. This
will be happening when the local and state conditions reviews and permits can b
conducted safely while other practices like social distancing with PPE. Reviews
might also be conducted via telephones and video calling. Protection and advocacy payees will comply
with the centers guidelines for prevention’s social distancing and disease
control.
What should I do in
case I miss my hearing date?
There will be a number listed on the hearing notice and you
must immediately contact then in case you miss your hearing. This needs to be
done immediately. In case you are not
getting valid numbers then you can also take the help of hearing office locator
app to get the right numbers.
It is completely understood that we are all fighting with the
corona and there are many situations in front of us and that can be the reason
of missing your hearing. You will also have to explain why you missed your
hearing date and for that you are going to get an email from the social
security administration. It will be a
request to show cause for failure to appear. This notice provides opportunity
to explain why you failed to attend your hearing.
What should I do in
case I missed the deadline of filing my hearing?
SSA understands completely what you are going through and
they are also going to give you another chance.
Again you are going to get an email to explain why you failed to attend
the hearing and if you answer are acceptable you will get a solution to file
your hearing request. You must talk to the representatives of SSA to get to
know what step you should take ahead.
Can I only have my
hearing by phone?
No telephone is not the only medium to complete your
hearing. This is due to the reason that SSA offices are temporarily closed due
to COVID-19 pandemic. Telephonic hearing is only for those who cannot wait
longer to the things to be back on track again. When a representative calls you
to fix a date of hearing you must agree to it or request postpones date of your
hearing. In case you are not comfortable
with a telephonic call then you must postpone or wait. In case you decline your telephonic hearing
request, but changed your mind later then you must approach local hearing
office to have a date rescheduled. At the end of this year SSA will also be
introducing facility of video calling to schedule hearing dates. This will be
another option ready for you till the end of 2020.
Has social security
administration considered video calling hearings like court systems?
Yes, along with other options like telephonic hearings as
this will improve SSA services and make things comfortable in the corona times.
Claimants will be able to attend their hearings via video calling till
December. High clarity video calling experience will be provided to the
claimants. These way claimants will enjoy a clear picture, audio, private and
safe environment which is ideal for social security hearings.
How will office confirm
hearing appearance manner for me?
Hearings are conducted by administrative law judges and
these are telephonic hearings right now.
Now a telephonic hearing agreement is sent to the claimants instead of
sending them for an in person hearing.
You can also download this form from appointed representative services website
to complete and upload on the same website. In case you are not having access
to ARS then you can also send SSA fax.
On the form you will complete every step and submit your form
so that you can provide information where to reach you.
SSA office also
accept verbal confirmation for which you can call them
Keep in mind that your appointment will not be secluded
until SSA is going to get your consent. If they are not getting any responses
from you they will not conduct any hearing or if it is conducted it will be
postponed for which you will have to again call them. You can also wait for the
video conferencing services to be effective soon.
How to make sure I am
ideally appointed representative for my claimant before hearing?
It is important that at the SSA is having your file of
hearing and your appointment as a representative with the SSA. For
representative appointment to be idea the file of the claimant must have proper
documents, signs and should be complete which form SSA-1696 is. There are
several documents which you will find on the website regarding this and your
representative just needs to fulfill all the demands.
What is an ideal way
to file fee petition?
First of all your appointed representative is going to
receive hearing decision and in case he
intends to claim fee petition then the most effective way is to first
approach Contact OHO Office which is featured in ARS. For those who are not
having electronic records or who have been terminated before from their
services must fax their fee petition.
These are the few questions that can help you know about
your hearings and its procedures. To know more you must keep visting social
security administration website and get updates. In case you need to postpone or reschedule
your hearing dates you must get the hearing office locator so that you can
instantly find the important numbers and get answers to your questions.
