Background

This transmittal amends Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law manual section I-2-5-13 to reflect guidance in Social Security Ruling 17-4p on when an administrative law judge (ALJ) or hearing office (HO) staff may need to assist a claimant in developing written evidence.

Explanation of Content and Changes

I-2-5-13 – We updated this section to clarify when an ALJ or HO staff may need to assist a claimant in developing written evidence and what procedures an ALJ or HO staff must follow when a claimant or representative informs us about evidence at the hearings level but does not submit it. We also reorganized this section, made editorial changes, and revised the title.

Date: January 24, 2020