There is no direct operational relationship between the appeals process and administrative
finality.
An appeal request is not also a reopening request, and a reopening request is not
also an appeal request.
Administrative finality is not a “procedure” which should generally be explained to the claimant because they fail to file an
appeal request timely. However, if the interview shows that the claimant could obtain
additional evidence which may be new and material, the FO should explain that if this
evidence is obtained, SSA may still consider the effect of the evidence on the prior
determination or decision, even if good cause for late filing is not established.
The fact that the claimant did not file timely for appeal does not mean that the requirements
for reopening automatically exist.