“A qualified yes”: new Social Security rules on remote appeal hearings

The AARP website features an in-depth examination of new Social Security Administration (SSA) rules for remote access to appeal hearings. The new rules make permanent some exceptions to requirements for in-person hearings by SSI/SSDI claimants. SSA put these exceptions in place during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The story quotes a number of SSI advocates including BayLegal San Francisco SSI attorney Eduardo Blount. These advocates point to the greater flexibility offered by the new rules, but also some significant limitations on claimant choice. This raises potential issues, particularly for claimants who prefer to continue with in-person hearings.

For more details have a look at the AARP story here, and for information and related resources on our SSI practice, look here.