Effective Dates: 06/04/2026 - Present Previous | Next

TN 18 (06-26)

DI 12010.035 Action Following a Favorable Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing Decision

A. Policy when favorable decision is received

Effectuate ALJ and Attorney Advisor decisions immediately upon receipt of the folder or the electronic alert.

NOTE: The ALJ decision will not be effectuated if the field office (FO) or processing center (PC) is informed that the Appeals Council (AC) is reviewing the decision under its authority in 20 CFR 404.969 and 416.1469. For instructions on paying interim disability benefits when the ALJs decision has not been issued or effectuated within 110 days after the date of the ALJ decision because the AC has taken own motion review, see DI 42010.205 (Interim Benefits in Cases of Delayed Final Decisions Title II) and SI 02007.001 (Interim Benefits in Cases of Delayed Final Decisions SSI).

B. Process hearing decision

1. Medical diagnosis and regulation basis coding

The hearing office (HO) provides the diagnosis and regulation basis coding for all favorable Title II, Title XVI and concurrent Title II and Title XVI hearing decisions rendered. The diagnosis and regulation basis coding is input to the Hearings and Appeals Case Processing System (HACPS).

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    For a medical appeal, ALJ hearing status information displays in the Hearing Query Selection Screen (HEAR) within the Queries link on the eView Case Documents tab. (See DI 81005.050.)

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    For a nonmedical appeal, ALJ hearing status information displays in the Queries tab in the Electronic Nonmedical (ENM) folder.

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    For AC or court level cases, information displays in the Appeals Review Processing System (ARPS).

This information will assist the FO and the PC in effectuating the ALJ decisions.

2. Notice of decision

The HO sends a notice of the decision to the claimant and if applicable, his or her representative. The notice can be viewed in eView or Evidence Portal (EP) if the case is linked or in the Online Retrieval System (ORS) for paper cases.

3. Routing of decision

a. For paper cases

Title II

The HO forwards Title II favorable decisions to the PC for effectuation.

Title XVI

The HO forwards Title XVI favorable decisions to the FO for effectuation. For development and effectuation procedures, see DI 12010.040 and SI 04030.070

Concurrent Title II/ Title XVI

The HO separates the Title II and Title XVI claim folder(s) and routes or transmits them per DI 12010.035B.3.a. and DI 12010.035B.3.b. in this section.

NOTE: Follow the protest procedures in GN 03103.260 for Title II if the FO believes that the hearing decision is clearly contrary to or conflicts with the law and regulations.

b. For electronic cases

The Certified Electronic Folder (CEF) routes to the appropriate office (i.e., Title II favorable decisions to the appropriate PC and Title XVI favorable decisions to the appropriate FO).

C. References

MSOM OHA 001.011 Hearing/Appeal Query Response

GN 03103.250 PC Effectuation of ALJ Decisions

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0412010035
DI 12010.035 - Action Following a Favorable Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing Decision - 06/04/2026
Batch run: 06/04/2026
Rev:06/04/2026