tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493142765016058848.post1103355203531868839..comments2024-01-08T18:50:03.087-08:00Comments on LawAndOrder: SSA Refuses To Tell Claimants The Name Of The Judge Who Will Hear Their Caseichbinaljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07968729252544011395noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493142765016058848.post-5881310615770581962013-02-19T10:10:26.871-08:002013-02-19T10:10:26.871-08:00Recently the Social Security Administration implem...Recently the Social Security Administration implemented this policy of withholding the name of the ALJ assigned to preside over hearings for disability benefits. This policy has caused problems for the ability of disability representatives to adequately prepare for hearings. ALJ’s can often be varied in what they require to be submitted prior to a hearing as well as what they expect to have presented to them at a hearing. <br />Since this policy has been in effect there have been a number of requests under the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) requesting that the Social Security Administration be required to provide the names of the ALJs assigned to preside over disability hearings. One of these requests wound up in litigation in a Federal District Court in Washington state. The case was settled by the DOJ. The case was dismissed after the SSA provided the name of the ALJ. The plaintiff was also awarded attorney fees incurred in bringing the lawsuit. <br />The case was dismissed and there was no ruling on the merits of the case by the District Court Judge. It signals that the SSA may be realizing that there is not a legally defensible way to continue their policy. (2/15/2013)ichbinaljhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07968729252544011395noreply@blogger.com