Paper Files Available for Pro Se Claimants
June 14, 2010
Author: Catherine M. Callery (Kate)| Louise M. Tarantino
Thanks to David Ralph of the Elmira office of LAWNY for reminding us of another useful Chief Judge Bulletin. CJB 07-07 - Conducting Electronic Hearings at Temporary Remote Sites (TRSs) - reminds adjudicators that “[i]f an unrepresented claimant requests assistance or cannot access the CD provided, the hearing office should provide a printed copy of the file to the unrepresented claimant prior to the hearing.” Generally, however, ODAR personnel will not print out files or supply laptops at TRSs.
CJB 07-07 is one of several bulletins issued concerning the challenges posed by transporting PII (Personally Identifiable Information). CJB 07-06 outlines “Instructions for Providing a Copy of Electronic Folder (EF) to Claimant/Representative.” Per this CJB, ODAR’s “established business process” provides that a CD will be provided to the claimant or representative at two “critical intervals”: at workup when the case is exhibited, and the evening before or on the day of the hearing. Additionally, a request from a claimant for a copy of the electronic file should be honored at any time during the process.
Both bulletins are available at https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10.
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