The effect of an EAP request depends on the status of the request:
a. All parties
signed
the EAP
agreement
After the EAP agreement is signed, the claimant does not need to complete the remaining
steps of the administrative review process. Instead, the claimant may file an action
in a federal district court within 60 days after the date the claimant receives notice
that the agreement has been signed by the DCARO. A signed copy of the EAP agreement
will be mailed to the claimant and will constitute notice.
b. SSA denies
an
EAP
request
If the EAP request is denied, the request will be treated as a request for hearing.
For more information on denial of an EAP request, see GN 03107.150B.2.b.
c. Claimant
no
longer
wishes
to
pursue
EAP
request
If the claimant no longer wishes to pursue the EAP and all parties have not yet signed
the agreement, the FO will mail a cancellation notice to the claimant. The cancellation
notice will inform the claimant that 30 days after receiving the notice, the claimant
will have no further appeal rights within the administrative appeals process or in
federal court. SSA presumes that the claimant receives the notice five days after
SSA mails it. The cancellation notice will explain that if the claimant wishes to
pursue further administrative review, the claimant must request a hearing before the
30-day period expires. The period will be extended if the claimant shows good cause
for missing the deadline. For more information on FO and RO responsibilities when
a claimant does not wish to pursue the EAP further, see GN 03107.150D.3 and GN 03107.250B.4.
d. Claimant's failure
to
respond,
or
refusal
to
sign
the
EAP
agreement
If the claimant fails to respond, or refuses to sign the EAP agreement, the RO will
mail a closeout notice to the claimant. The closeout notice will inform the claimant
that 30 days after receiving the notice, the claimant will have no further appeal
rights within the administrative appeals process or in federal court. SSA presumes
that the claimant receives the notice five days after SSA mails it. The closeout notice
will explain that if the claimant wishes to pursue the claim further, the claimant
must either sign the EAP agreement or request a hearing before the 30-day period expires.
The period will be extended if the claimant shows good cause for missing the deadline.
For more information on FO and RO responsibilities when a claimant fails to respond,
or refuses to sign the EAP agreement, see GN 03107.150D.5 and GN 03107.250B.5.b.