From Social Security Update, a publication of the Social Security Administration:
Commissioner Astrue is committed to improving the clarity, quality, and readability of all correspondence from Social Security. To that end, Social Security recently began using a new, more user-friendly Notice of Hearing, aimed at helping claimants better prepare for their hearings before an administrative law judge.
There are several improvements in the new notice. First, it tells claimants at the beginning that they must bring valid picture identification because of security requirements in government facilities. This is important because claimants without required identification would have to reschedule their hearings for a later date causing an unnecessary delay.
The notice’s new language makes it easier to understand the legal information by eliminating provisions that can be complicated and confusing. And the new notice reflects changes in the law, including specific issues related to a claimant’s appeal. These items are now presented in order of importance.
For more information about disability hearings and appeals, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/appeals.
Thats just great. What about improving alj decisions?
ReplyDeleteThe must be part of the move to make SSA notices easier to understand by dumbing them down.
ReplyDeleteThese notices are being generated offsite from the ODAR involved and I repeatedly see notices being sent out with less than the required 20 day notice to the claimant.
ReplyDeleteUsing plain, clear language is not "dumbing it down."
ReplyDeleteComplicated writing is lazy writing. Clarity saves everyone time and headaches.