OIG Report: Hearing Office & ALJ Productivity – Posted: 8/26/08
The report has been issued and addresses: (1) factors that affect ALJ and hearing office performance; (2) ODAR management tools; and (3) SSA initiatives to increase ALJ productivity. Congressional Response Report: Administrative Law Judge and Hearing Office Performance, No. A-07-08-28094 (Aug. 2008).
What were the general conclusions? The average number of dispositions has increased over the last few years; however, “some ALJs continue to process cases at levels below Agency expectations.” But low productivity is not necessarily related to ALJ-specific traits – factors within the process, outside the control of ALJs, play a role. Interviews with a number of ALJs and hearing office staff, some Regional Chief ALJs, and the Chief ALJ disclosed that:
ALJs have varying levels of productivity (both high and low productivity) for internalized reasons, such as motivation and work ethic. However, we also identified factors that can impact ALJ and hearing office productivity and processing times that are part of the case adjudication process. These factors relate to disability determination services (DDS) case development, staff levels, hearing dockets, favorable rates, individual ALJ preferences, and Agency processes. [Executive Summary to OIG Report.]
- Available Materials Updated – Posted: 8/13/08
- Acronyms and Special Terms – Added: 8/8/08
A new feature of NOSSCR Online: Acronyms and Special Terms used in Social Security claim processing. Please submit any additions or corrections.
- HIV Listings:
- June 2008 Final Rule: Comparison Chart [PDF] – Posted: 8/8/08
- Advance NPRM: HIV-Legal Joint Comments [PDF] – Posted: 5/29/08
- ALJ Hiring Process Resumes - and Closes – Updated: 8/4/08
On July 30, 2008, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) re-opened the hiring process for Administrative Law Judges, allowing 600 new applicatons. In less than one week, OPM received 600 completed applications and closed the announcement.
OPM last reopened the ALJ examination in May 2007. Within six days (including a weekend), OPM closed the examination because it had received its stated limit of 1,250 completed applications.
- NOSSCR Election Process: Nominees Announced – Posted: 8/1/08
- Los Angeles Conference Schedule – Posted: 7/21/08
- "Closely Approaching Retirement Age" – Posted: 7/11/08
- New Favorable Decision Templates Available – Posted: 6/26/08
- The Disability Backlog
- Media Coverage – Updated: 7/3/08
- House Ways & Means Hearing – 4/23/08
