A claimant may expressly request that an administrative law judge (ALJ) reopen and revise a final determination or decision, and the ALJ will either grant or deny the claimant's request.

An ALJ must reopen a determination or decision if the conditions and timeframes for reopening are met (as explained in HALLEX HA 01290.030, HA 01290.040, and HA 01290.060), the ALJ has jurisdiction over the issue, and the facts and evidence of the particular case warrant reopening.

When a claimant expressly requests reopening, an ALJ will specifically respond to the request even if the ALJ is denying the request or if the ALJ does not have jurisdiction to reopen the determination or decision. When the ALJ issues a decision on a current application in which a claimant expressly requested reopening of a prior determination or decision, the ALJ will include a finding on the reopening and revision issue in the decision, with supporting rationale. See HALLEX HA 01290.085.

A claimant might not expressly request that an ALJ reopen and revise a final determination or decision, but may submit additional evidence or information that implies he or she is requesting reopening and revision of a prior determination or decision. Usually, this occurs when a claimant alleges an onset date of disability within a previously adjudicated period or, after the ALJ issues a decision, the claimant sends the ALJ new and material evidence that relates to the earlier period at issue. (See HALLEX HA 01290.040 C for the definition of new and material evidence.) When a claimant submits information that implies a request for reopening, the ALJ will first determine whether he or she has jurisdiction to reopen and revise the prior determination or decision. See HALLEX HA 01290.005.

An ALJ must reopen a determination or decision if the conditions and timeframes for reopening are met (as explained in HALLEX HA 01290.030, HA 01290.040, and HA 01290.060), the ALJ has jurisdiction over the issue, and the facts and evidence of the particular case warrant reopening.