The National Hearing Center (NHC) was developed in 2008 to reduce the wait time for a hearing by an Administrative Law Judge. Currently there are five NHC offices across the country.
According to an SSA report, in 2010 and 2011 the 5 NHCs processed more than 56,000 claims to assist hearing offices with their backlogged cases. The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) Chicago Region, which services claimants in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin; is the most backed up region. Over half of those 56,000 claims came from the Chicago Region. The Minneapolis, MN ODAR office faces one of the highest backlogs.
If your claim is pending for a hearing with your local ODAR, you may receive a notice that your claim has been transferred to an NHC ODAR office out of state.
If your claim has been transferred to a NHC office, when it comes time for your hearing it will take place through videoteleconferencing (VTC). This means that the Administrative Law Judge will appear on a television screen instead of in person. You and your attorney will still appear in person at the closest ODAR or local Social Security Administration office.
Even though you will not be face to face with the Administrative Law Judge, he/she will still be using the same guidelines and criteria set forth by the SSA to determine if you qualify for benefits.
If you do not want your hearing held by VTC you have the right to object. If you object to the VTC hearing your claim will be transferred back to your local ODAR office. If you choose to have your claim transferred back it may delay the processing of your claim.
If your claim has been transferred to the NHC and you have any questions or concerns, please contact Greeman Toomey PLLC at (612) 332-3252 or toll-free at (877) 332-3252.
