Background

This transmittal amends section I-2-1-40 of the Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law (HALLEX) manual to clarify instructions for identifying dire need and other critical cases.

Explanation of Content and Changes

This transmittal revises HALLEX I-2-1-40 as follows:

I-2-1-40 A.5 – We added language clarifying that a case identified by the FO or DDS as a homeless case in accordance with Program Operations Manual System (POMS) DI 11005.004, or as a critical case because of dire financial need or because the non-receipt or interruption of benefits that has caused a hardship in accordance with POMS DI 23020.005, must be designated as a dire need case at the hearings level, unless the circumstances have changed sufficiently to no longer warrant such designation.

I-2-1-40 C.2 – We added language clarifying that because certain priority case designations applied by the FO or DDS do not have a corresponding case characteristic at the hearings level, designated hearing office staff will review the claims and apply the most closely analogous case characteristics in CPMS or HACPS and case flags in eView, as appropriate.

We also made minor editorial changes throughout the section.

Date: September 1, 2022