Social Security recently changed its rules about the use of video teleconferencing (VTC) for disability hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
Previously, Social Security has used VTC for a portion of its hearings. The VTC process relates to using ALJs in other jurisdictions to administer hearings with claimants and representatives via video rather than face-to-face. This means that the ALJ would be in one location while the claimant and representative would be in another location.
The purpose behind the use of VTC is that hearings could be held sooner than if a claimant had to wait for a face-to-face hearing before an ALJ because the use of video allows for ALJs in jurisdictions where the backlog of claimants waiting for hearings are less than some of the busier hearings offices, but there are no guarantees. Previously, Social Security would decide whether or not to use the VTC process for a hearing, but now claimants can object if they would rather have a live hearing before an ALJ.
Every claimant who has requested a hearing before an ALJ will now receive a letter from Social Security with an associated form to complete if they want to object to the use of VTC for their hearing. As long as claimants return the completed objection form to Social Security within 30 days of the dated letter, they can bypass the use of VTC and will have a live hearing before an ALJ.
Those who do not object to the use of VTC will not necessarily have a video hearing, as Social Security still reserves the right to use either VTC or schedule a live hearing with an ALJ.
To learn more about Social Security’s rules related to appearances in person or by VTC for ALJ hearings click here.
