Vacating an ALJ decision renders it null and void and reinstates the ALJ hearing request.
The reconsideration determination is the final decision of the Commissioner.
If the ALJ hearing decision affirmed a disability or blindness cessation determination,
thereby terminating payment continuation, then vacating the ALJ decision would return
the adjudicative process to the point prior to the rendering of the vacated decision.
We may resume payment continuation retroactively, including any cost-of-living or
other increases that may have occurred in the interim.
When the AC vacates a hearing decision, the AC will send a Form HA-517 (Order of Appeals
Council) to the appellant, the field office, and regional office.
Upon receipt of an AC remand, update the Supplemental Security Record (SSR) via the
Modernized SSI Claims System (MSSICS) appeals path (MS 04420.001) or MSSICS direct
SSR update process (MS 00302.001) to show that the claim is pending in a hearing office
as of the date of the AC Order.