Effective Dates: 10/27/2026 - Present Previous | Next

TN 56 (10-26)

GN 03103.080 Title II Non-Medical Appeals - Instructions for Forwarding Hearing Requests to the Hearings Level Using the Electronic Non-Medical Application

A. General information about forwarding Title II non-medical hearing requests using the Electronic Non-Medical (ENM) application

Field office (FO) and processing center (PC) technicians will use the instructions in this section to send a Title II non-medical hearing request to the hearings level using the ENM application.

FO technicians will also use these instructions to forward the hearing request to the jurisdictional PC when the case involves a Title II only non-medical issue, per GN 03103.080C.2 in this section. The FO is responsible for processing Title II exceptions as described in GN 03103.080A.1 below.

FO/PC technicians will create, upload documents, edit, and change the case jurisdiction in the ENM application, and route all Title II non-medical appeals cases to the Special Review Cadre (SRC), office code 5ZU, with the exception of class action cases. Class action cases will continue to be routed to the local jurisdictional hearing office. For instructions on ENM case creation, upload instructions, and troubleshooting, see GN 03103.080B in this section.

Once created, ENM is the official folder of record for non-medical cases.

The terms "hearing request" and "HA-501" are used interchangeably throughout these instructions. These instructions presume:

•

The beneficiary received a reconsideration determination, if procedurally applicable. For more information on the hearing process, see GN 03103.010;
•

There is a completed HA-501 (Request for Hearing by Administrative Law Judge) or i501, or a written document that disagrees with the prior determination. For more information on completing the HA-501, see GN 03103.020. For more information on iAppeals non-medical, see GN 03101.127; and
•

When applicable, the technician has completed the Electronic Non-disability Summary Sheet (eNDSS). For instructions on completing the eNDSS, see GN 03103.130B.

Other Program Operations Manual System (POMS) sections include instructions for processing hearing requests on the following situation:

1.
Title II exceptions

The FO does not send hearing requests involving Title II exceptions to the PC. For Title II exceptions, the FO is responsible for processing the hearing request by following the instructions in GN 03103.080C.1 in this section. Title II exceptions include:
- •
  
  Substantial gainful activity (SGA);
- •
  
  Res judicata (previously determined claim for disability benefits);
- •
  
  Work issue continuing disability review (CDR) (dispute of earnings and work activity - does not include appeals on overpayments if beneficiary agrees with the work CDR determination);
- •
  
  Benefit Offset National Demonstration (BOND) overpayments;
- •
  
  Administrative sanctions; and
- •
  
  The need for representative payment and the payee selected.
NOTE:

For Title II exceptions, the FO technician is not required to complete an eNDSS report; however, the FO technician must create the ENM case and include the required documents in GN 03103.080B.4 below into ENM.
2.

Title XVI only or concurrent (Title II/Title XVI) common non-medical issue

Process non-medical hearing requests for Title XVI only or concurrent (Title II/Title XVI) common issues per SI 04030.030.
3.

Disability

Process disability hearing requests for Title II only, Title XVI only, or concurrent (Title II/Title XVI) per DI 12010.010, DI 81010.085, and DI 81010.150.
4.
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance (HI)), Part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI)), and Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA)
- •
  
  Process hearing requests for Medicare Part A and Part B per GN 03108.210.
- •
  
  Process hearing requests for IRMAA per HI 01140.001.
5.

Representative payee misuse

Process hearing requests for payee misuse per the instructions in GN 00604.064G.
6.

No reconsideration determination

If the claimant insists on filing a hearing request before receipt of a reconsideration determination, process the hearing request per GN 03103.120.
7.

Late hearing request

When a claimant submits a hearing request late, see GN 03101.020D. Do not delay forwarding a late hearing request to the hearings level while awaiting receipt of a good cause statement.

B. ENM case creation, upload instructions, and troubleshooting

The ENM application allows the FO, PC, the hearings level, and Appeals Council to establish non-medical cases to keep these workloads electronic.

The FO creates hearings level ENM cases for Title II exceptions, Title XVI only, and concurrent (Title II/Title XVI) common issue non-medical cases, e.g., a concurrent SGA denial of an initial disability claim.

The PC creates hearings level ENM cases for Title II only non-medical appeals that are not Title II exceptions. For a list of Title II exceptions, see GN 03103.080A.1 above.

Once created, ENM is the official folder of record for non-medical cases.

1. ENM case processing instructions

a.

Technicians access ENM directly through the Social Security Administration (SSA) Web Application Index “ENM Production” link. It is also available on the Kitchen Sink application.
b.

Technicians create the case in ENM by entering the Social Security Number (SSN) of the claimant – using the beneficiary’s own account number (BOAN).

NOTE: Technicians must also use the claimant’s BOAN for child and other auxiliary cases and create the ENM case for each applicable request for hearing. For Title II auxiliary minor child cases, choose the claim type that corresponds with the Number Holder’s (NH) benefit type, such as Retirement, Survivors, Health Insurance (RSHI) or Disability (DIB).
c.

Technicians upload all proper appeal documents from any SSA repository into ENM. For more information about the types of documents to include in ENM for a hearing request, see GN 03103.080B.4 below (Title II) and SI 04030.030B.1.b (Title XVI).
d.

Technicians ensure uploaded documentation is viewable in ENM. For ENM troubleshooting, see GN 03103.080B.3 below.
e.

Technicians change jurisdiction of the case in ENM to the SRC or, for class action cases, to the local jurisdictional hearing office.
f.

Technicians send an email to the SRC mailbox ^DA DICompliance ENM SSI Non Dib Hearings to notify the SRC to begin case processing. Class action cases will continue to be routed to the local jurisdictional hearing office. For local jurisdictional hearings level office mailboxes for routing of class action cases, see the "ENM Mailboxes" Excel spreadsheet in Electronic Non-Medical Desk Guide.

2. Step-by-step instructions

The ENM case processing guide explains how to create a case in ENM, upload non-medical appeal documents electronically, and change jurisdiction.

3. ENM troubleshooting

FO/PC technicians should wait at least 24 hours to ensure that documents are visible in ENM before changing jurisdiction to the SRC or local hearing office. If the documents are not visible within 24 hours of upload activity, the technician will send an email to ^DA DIInnovation ENM Support.

a. FO instructions for ENM troubleshooting

i. If the documents are not visible within 72 hours of upload activity, FO technicians will take the necessary steps submit a ticket through the Enterprise IT Customer Service Desk (ECSD) by:

•

Selecting “Submit Enterprise Incident”
•

Under “Short Description” add “ENM Troubleshooting”
•

Under “Description” describe the issue and your steps to resolve it.

ii. If technicians receive an ENM upload failure notification, technicians will attempt upload again after an hour. If unsuccessful, technicians will submit a ticket through ECSD as described in GN 03103.080B.3.a.i above.

iii. If technicians cannot access the upload feature/button or an ENM case is loaded in error, technicians will submit a ticket through ECSD as described GN 03103.080B.3.a.i above.

b. PC instructions for ENM troubleshooting

If PC technicians encounter ENM troubleshooting issues similar to those described in GN 03103.080B.3.a above, technicians should contact local management staff to have the ECSD ticket created. The local management should determine which staff will create the ticket for the PC technician.

4. Electronic Title II non-medical file information (Type of documents to include in the ENM)

a.
Technicians gather proper documents from electronic repositories such as the Evidence Portal (EP), Online Retrieval System (ORS), and the paper folder if needed. Pay attention to Personally Identifiable Information (PII), only include documents and queries relevant to the claimant. The documents may include, but are not limited to:
- •
  
  HA-501/i501, or written document that disagrees with the prior determination,
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  SSA-561 (Request for Reconsideration)/i561,
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  Award/denial notice(s),
- •
  
  Reconsideration determination notice,
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  SSA-1696 (Claimant’s Appointment of a Representative),
- •
  
  Relevant queries, including earnings queries,
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  Application screen shots (e.g., EVID, Modernized Development Worksheet (MDW), Debt Management System (DMS), Modernized Claims System (MCS), Shared Processes, eWork),
- •
  
  Materials related to work CDR and SGA (e.g., SSA-833, SSA-4268, pay stubs, SSA-821, SSA-820, eWork Earnings and Events Worksheets, eWork All Months report, eWork DW01 showing forms and evidence requested/received, Trial Work Period (TWP) notices, initial cessation notice and all subsequent reinstatement, suspension, and termination notices related to work activity),
- •
  
  Data sheets,
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  Workers’ compensation data,
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  Payment History Update System (PHUS) records,
- •
  
  Single copy folder reference,
- •
  
  Good cause statements,
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  DMS remarks screen(s),
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  Prior overpayment or waiver determinations,
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  Overpayment decisional notice(s),
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  Evidence used at the initial and reconsideration level,
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  Any updated evidence that may have been submitted since the last decision, and
- •
  
  Relevant hearing decision documents.
NOTE: All information for the non-medical appeal should be stored in ENM. Do not send a paper folder containing a non-medical appeal to the hearings level.
b.

Technicians prepare a completed eNDSS, including any additional queries not already listed GN 03103.080B.4.a above, and a summary, save the eNDSS report as a PDF file, and upload the eNDSS document into ENM. For instructions on completing and saving the eNDSS, see GN 03103.130B and Saving a Document to PDF guide. For more information on FO and PC’s instructions for forwarding the Title II non-medical hearing request to the hearings level, see GN 03103.080C and GN 03103.080D in this section.

NOTE: The FO technician is not required to complete an eNDSS report for Title II exception cases described in GN 03103.080A.1 above. However, although an eNDSS report is not required, the FO technician must create the ENM case and upload the required documents in GN 03103.080B.4 above into ENM. For Title II exceptions, the FO processes the hearing request per GN 03103.080C.1 in this section.

C. Servicing FO's instructions for forwarding the HA-501 to the hearings level and the jurisdictional PC

1. FO's instructions for forwarding the hearing request to the hearings level

a. FO to the hearings level (Title II exceptions eNDSS not required)

Within 5 business days of receipt of the HA-501/i501, the FO follows the instructions below for sending the Title II non-medical exception hearing request as described in GN 03103.080A.1 above to the SRC. The FO must notify the hearings level if the FO will not be able to forward the hearing request within 5 business days.

•

When applicable, load the appeal into the proper system: MCS, DMS, and MDW.
•

Follow instructions in GN 03103.080B above to gather proper documents, create the case, and upload documents into ENM.
•

Send the case to the SRC, office code 5ZU. For class action cases, route to the local jurisdictional hearing office.

•

Send an email to the SRC mailbox ^DA DICompliance ENM SSI Non Dib Hearings to notify the SRC that you have created the case, uploaded documents, and changed jurisdiction in ENM. For class action cases, send an email to the local jurisdictional hearing office, see the "ENM Mailboxes" Excel spreadsheet in Electronic Non-Medical Desk Guide.

i. In the email to the hearings level, include any applicable special case characteristics such as multiple appeals issues, dual entitlement, auxiliary case, etc.

ii. See following example:

To:	^DA DICompliance ENM SSI Non Dib Hearings
CC:	<Division Mailbox> (Refers to Sender’s site location email address, i.e., FO mailbox.); Sender’s email address
Subject:	ACTION: Title II Non-Medical Appeal (Title II Exceptions eNDSS not required)
Body:	Please refer to the ENM case created for SSN xxx-xx-xxxx. Please return decision to Paperless number (xxx) xxx-xxxx.

•

Upload HA-501/i501 and any new evidence that the claimant submits with the appeal into EP.

NOTE 1: For Title II exceptions, the FO technician is not required to complete an eNDSS report; however, the FO technician must create the ENM case and include the required documents in GN 03103.080B.4 above into ENM.

NOTE 2: For any case older than 180 days, if possible, technicians should confirm key information prior to transferring to the hearings level:

i. Claimant's mailing address;

ii. Claimant's valid contact information, including phone number and email address; and

iii. Any updated evidence that may have been submitted since the last decision.

b. The hearings level receives the hearing request from the FO

When the hearings level receives the hearing request from the FO, the hearings level will:

•

Ensure the request for hearing and required documents are included with the ENM case.
•

Establish the case in the applicable case processing system.
•

Exhibit the case folder and take appropriate actions (i.e., administrative law judge (ALJ) holds a hearing, renders a decision, and updates ENM).
•

Communicate decision to the PC and close ENM, as appropriate. The hearings level support staff sends Title II documents to the appropriate PC Paperless fax number.

NOTE: PC technicians effectuate the Title II decision. If a case requires FO adjudication, PC should return the case to the FO through WorkTrack.

2. FO’s instructions for forwarding the hearing request to the jurisdictional PC

For Title II only non-medical hearing requests (other than the Title II exceptions listed in GN 03103.080A.1 above), the FO follows the instructions in GN 03103.080E.1 below to send the hearing request to the jurisdictional PC.

NOTE: Do not create a folder in ENM. PC will create a case in ENM.

D. Jurisdictional PC’s instructions for forwarding the HA-501 to the hearings level

1. PC to the hearings level

For Title II only non-medical hearing requests (other than Title II exceptions listed in GN 03103.080A.1 above), the PC follows the instructions below for sending the hearing request to the SRC within 30 calendar days of receiving the hearing request. The PC must notify the hearings level if the PC will not be able to forward the hearing request and complete eNDSS within 30 calendar days.

a.

Follow instructions in GN 03103.080B above to gather proper documents, create the case, and upload documents into ENM. The ENM record must contain all necessary evidence and jurisdictional documents when forwarded to the hearings level.
b.

Prepare a completed eNDSS report, including any additional queries not already listed in GN 03103.080B.4.a above, save the report as a PDF file, and upload it into ENM. For instructions on completing and saving the eNDSS, see GN 03103.130B and Saving a Document to PDF guide.
c.

Send the case to the SRC, office code 5ZU. For class action cases, route to the local jurisdictional hearing office.

Send an email to the SRC mailbox ^DA DICompliance ENM SSI Non Dib Hearings to notify SRC that you have created the case, uploaded documents, and changed jurisdiction in ENM. For class action cases, send an email to the local jurisdictional hearing office, see the "ENM Mailboxes" Excel spreadsheet in Electronic Non-Medical Desk Guide.

•

In the email to the hearings level, include any applicable special case characteristics such as multiple appeals issues, dual entitlement, auxiliary case, etc.

NOTE: The PC may see that a fully favorable determination is possible and that the reconsideration determination was incorrect. Prepare a SSA-5002 (Report of Contact (ROC)) that states the PC could make a fully favorable determination.

•

See following example:

To:	^DA DICompliance ENM SSI Non Dib Hearings
CC:	<Division Mailbox> (Refers to Sender’s site location email address, i.e., PC mailbox.); Sender’s email address
Subject:	ACTION: Title II Non-Medical Appeal (eNDSS prepared)
Body:	Please refer to the ENM case created for SSN xxx-xx-xxxx. Please return decision to Paperless number (xxx) xxx-xxxx.

e.

Set a Processing Center Action Control System (PCACS) diary/tickle for 180 days to control for response from the hearings level.
f.

Upload HA-501/i501, the copy of eNDSS report, and any new evidence that the claimant submits with the appeal into EP.
g.

Document Paperless and send ACR to FIN.

2. The hearings level receives the hearing request from the PC

When the hearings level receives the hearing request from the PC, the hearings level will:

a.

Ensure the request for hearing and required documents are included with the ENM case.
b.

Establish the case in applicable case processing system.
c.

Exhibit the case folder and take appropriate actions (i.e., ALJ holds a hearing, renders a decision, and updates ENM.)
d.

Communicate decision to the PC and close ENM, as appropriate. The hearings level support staff sends Title II documents to the appropriate PC Paperless fax number.

NOTE: PC technicians effectuate the Title II decision.

E. How to handle misrouted hearing requests, missing ENM cases, or incomplete records

1. Title II only non-medical hearing requests received in the FO

For Title II only non-medical hearing request (other than the Title II exceptions listed in GN 03103.080A.1 above), the FO will:

a.

Within 5 business days of receipt of the HA-501/i501, utilize WorkTrack to transfer the documents to the jurisdictional PC. To determine the jurisdictional PC, see GN 01070.245 and GN 01050.051.

Send email with the HA-501/i501 attached to SRC mailbox ^DA DICompliance ENM SSI Non Dib Hearings to notify SRC of the existence of the appeal. For class action cases, send an email to the local jurisdictional hearing office, see the "ENM Mailboxes" Excel spreadsheet in Electronic Non-Medical Desk Guide.

•

See following example:

To:	^DA DICompliance ENM SSI Non Dib Hearings
CC:	<Division Mailbox> (Refers to Sender’s site location email address, i.e., FO mailbox.); Sender’s email address
Subject:	ACTION: Title II Non-Medical Appeal (Receipt of HA-501. Forwarded to PC to prepare eNDSS)
Body:	The following HA-501 hearing request is an exclusion to the FO process and is being forwarded to PC to process. Please contact PC (office code) for necessary documents. The SRC will receive the case information in ENM from the PC.

c.

Upload HA-501/i501 and any new evidence that the claimant submits with the appeal into EP.
d.

Handle other evidence per GN 00301.275 and GN 00301.322, as appropriate.

NOTE: Upon receiving the misrouted hearing requests from the FO, the PC will process the hearing request per GN 03103.080D above.

2. Misrouted hearing requests received in the PC

If a hearing request is received in the PC for disability issues, non-medical of Title XVI only or concurrent (Title II/Title XVI) common issue, or the Title II exceptions described in GN 03103.080A.1 above, the PC will:

a.

Within 5 business days of receipt of the HA-501/i501, desktop fax the HA-501/i501 to the jurisdictional FO WorkTrack number with an explanation as to why you are referring the hearing request to their office.
b.

Transfer MCS segments, if any, to the FO with an explanation as to why you are referring the hearing request to their office.
c.

Upload the HA-501/i501 into eView or EP as appropriate.

For non-medical misrouted hearing requests, send an email with HA-501/i501 attached to SRC at ^DA DICompliance ENM SSI Non Dib Hearings to notify SRC of the existence of the appeal. Do not send an email if the hearing request is for disability issues.

•

See following example:

To:	^DA DICompliance ENM SSI Non Dib Hearings
CC:	<Division Mailbox> (Refers to Sender’s site location email address, i.e., PC mailbox.); Sender’s email address
Subject:	ACTION: Title II Non-Medical Appeal Exclusion, or Title XVI Non-Medical Appeal, or Concurrent (Title II/Title XVI) Non-Medical Appeal
Body:	The following HA-501 hearing request is an exclusion to the PC process and is being forwarded to FO to process. Please contact FO (office code) for necessary documents. The SRC will receive the case information in ENM from the FO.

e.

Annotate the Paperless ACR with the reason that the hearing request is not a Title II only non-medical issue and why it is an exclusion to the PC process, and send the ACR to FIN.

NOTE: Upon receiving the misrouted hearing request from the PC, the FO will process the hearing request per GN 03103.080C.1 above (for Title II exceptions cases), SI 04030.030 (for non-medical of Title XVI only and concurrent common issue cases), or DI 12010.010 (for disability cases).

3. Hearing requests for Medicare Part A (HI) and Part B (SMI) received in the FO or PC

If FO/PC received hearing requests for HI/SMI, process the hearing request for HI/SMI per GN 03108.210.

4. Hearing requests forwarded to hearings level without an ENM case or missing required claim documents

a. Cases sent by FO to the hearings level without an ENM case or missing required claim documents

If the hearings level receives a request for hearing without an ENM case, or without an ENM case for each applicable beneficiary or auxiliary claim, or if the ENM case is missing required claim documents listed in GN 03103.080B.4 above, the hearings level will send an email to the servicing FO mailbox and copy the FO management team requesting the ENM case be created or the required documents be added and forwarded to the hearings level. If there is no response, the ENM case is not established, or the required documents are not added within 5 business days, the hearings level will escalate the request to the Area Director Point of Contact (POC).

b. Cases sent by PC to the hearings level without an ENM case or missing required claim documents

If the hearings level receives a request for hearing without an ENM case, or without an ENM case for each applicable beneficiary or auxiliary claim, or if the ENM case is missing required claim documents listed in GN 03103.080B.4 above, the hearings level will send an email to the jurisdictional PC mailbox, copying the PC management team and the PC technician (if known). The email will request that the ENM case be created or that the required documents be added and forwarded to the hearings level. If there is no response, the ENM case is not established, or the required documents are not added within 5 business days, the hearings level will escalate the request to the Quality, Training, Audits, and Performance (QTAP) staff at ^CentProc QTAP Controls.

NOTE: If the hearings level receives an email from the FO stating that the case was forwarded to PC, as describe in GN 03103.080E.1 above, the email does not fall under the follow-up process. Upon receiving the misrouted hearing requests from the FO, the PC will process the hearing request within 30 calendar days per GN 03103.080D above.

c. Hearing request received in the hearing office

If the claimant or representative submits a hearing request to the hearing office, the hearing office will send the hearing request to the appropriate servicing component for processing. The FO or PC will follow the instructions in GN 03103.080C or GN 03103.080D, as appropriate, to create the case, upload documents, edit and change the case jurisdiction in the ENM application, and route the non-medical appeals cases to the SRC.

F. Instructions for forwarding the HA-501 in foreign claims and non-claims earnings discrepancy cases

Do not request the folder for foreign claim and non-claim earnings discrepancy cases. In block 16 of the HA-501 check “Other Attached,” and add a remark: “Folder is not attached because the case involves a foreign claim or non-claim earnings discrepancy.” FO/PC technicians follow the instructions below for forwarding the hearing request within 5 business days:

1. Foreign claims

In foreign claim situations, FO/PC technicians will email a copy of the HA-501 along with any additional evidence to ^CentProc IntlOps IBP Controls.

2. Non-claim earnings discrepancy cases

For non-claim earnings discrepancy cases, FO/PC technicians mail a copy of the HA-501 along with any additional evidence to:

Social Security Administration

Earnings Operations

6100 Wabash Ave

Baltimore, MD 21215

G. References

•

DI 12010.010 Assembly and Routing of Folders for Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing
•

DI 81010.085 Transferring Cases in the Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS)
•

DI 81010.150 Processing Claims Appeals of Medical Decisions in Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS)
•

GN 00301.275 Retention or Return of Documents
•

GN 00301.322 Retention of Paper Material After Faxing into Either the eDIB Folder or Claims Folder using NDRed
•

GN 00301.328 Related Business Process Information
•

GN 01070.209 FO /PC Telephone Numbers/Paperless Fax Numbers
•

GN 01070.245 Processing center SSN jurisdiction
•

GN 03101.020 Good Cause for Extending the Time Limit to File an Appeal
•

GN 03103.000 Hearings (Title II and Entitlement Under Title XVIII)
•

GN 03108.210 Title XVIII Entitlement Appeals Procedures
•

SI 04030.000 Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearings – SSI
•

HI 01140.001 Overview of the Appeals Process for the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount
•

HALLEX HA 01200.000 Administrative Law Judge Hearings

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0203103080

GN 03103.080 - Title II Non-Medical Appeals - Instructions for Forwarding Hearing Requests to the Hearings Level Using the Electronic Non-Medical Application - 10/27/2026
Batch run: 10/27/2026
Rev:10/27/2026