Online Access Available at Appeals Council
September 30, 2011
Author: Louise M. Tarantino| Catherine M. Callery (Kate)
Online access to eFolders is now available for cases at the Appeals Council level, as well as the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) level. That means that an advocate who is enrolled for online access will be able to review Appeals Council exhibit files on SSA’s secure website in cases if an Appointment of Representative (1696) is on file. If not yet enrolled, visit http://www.ssa.gov/representation/eFolder.htm.
Advocates will also be able to submit new evidence electronically to the Appeals Council. Although evidence may still be submitted by mail or fax, bear in mind that the Appeals Council is allegedly now 95% electronic. Any paper submissions will be scanned into the exhibit file, except in those few remaining “paper” files.
There are, however, two important caveats. First, a Request for Review by the Appeals Council cannot be filed electronically. A paper form HA-520 is still required. Second, advocates must obtain new, Appeals Council specific bar codes before submitting evidence to the Appeals Council.
Bar codes used at the ALJ level will NOT work at the Appeals Council. Nor will bar codes be automatically generated by the Appeals Council upon the filing of a Request for Review. A request for a new bar code can be made in writing, by fax or by telephone. Office of Appellate Operations (OAO) Executive Director Patricia Jonas suggests calling the Congressional and Public Affairs Branch at 1-877-670-2722 to request a new bar code.
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