SSA: Administrative Law Judge Hearings Proposed Rule

Setting the Time and Place for a Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge SUMMARY: We propose to amend our rules to clarify that the agency is responsible for setting the time and place for a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). Consistent with our regulations at lower levels of the administrative process, we propose to use ``we'' or ``us'' in the rules setting the time and place for a hearing. These changes will ensure greater flexibility in scheduling hearings both in person and via video teleconferencing and will aid us in our effort to increase efficiency in the hearing process and reduce the number of pending hearings. The number of cases awaiting a hearing has reached historic proportions, and efforts toward greater efficiency are critical to addressing this problem. DATES: To be sure that we consider your comments, we must receive them no later than January 9, 2009.