Effective Dates: 09/05/2019 - Present Previous | Next

TN 3 (09-19)

DI 33010.040 Transferring Case to a Different Disability Hearing Unit (DHU)

A. When to transfer the case

1. Reasons for a transfer

  1. a. 

    A beneficiary (or recipient) requests transfer of the case to a different DHU and there is good cause for doing so,

  2. b. 

    A Federal employee made the determination being appealed; these cases must be transferred to a Federal DHU,

  3. c. 

    The Disability Hearing Officer (DHO) has been disqualified. See DI 33015.045, or

  4. d. 

    The DHU requests transfer.

2. Factors to consider when determining whether good cause exists to change the place of the hearing

  1. a. 

    Reasons for requesting the change in place,

  2. b. 

    The facts supporting the request, and

  3. c. 

    The impact of the proposed change on the efficient administration of the hearing process.

3. Who may grant transfer

Transfers within the State of the beneficiary's (or recipient's) residence may be granted by the supervisory hearing officer (SHO), or the DHO, if so delegated.

Transfers outside the jurisdiction of the State of the beneficiary's (or recipient's) residence may only be granted by the regional office (RO) after it has assessed the reasons for the transfer.

B. Actions required when case is transferred

1. When RO approval is required

  1. a. 

    Contact the RO if assistance is needed as to where a case should be transferred, or the transfer is to a DHU outside the jurisdiction of the State of the beneficiary's (or recipient's) residence.

  2. b. 

    Advise the RO of any problems you have with the case being transferred. This is important because the RO must assure the concurrence of all parties involved before granting the transfer.

NOTE: If necessary, the RO will have a Federal DHO conduct the hearing at a site convenient to the beneficiary (or recipient) and the DHO.

2. DHU action after approval

After the request for transfer has been granted:

  1. a. 

    Adjust the hearing schedule,

  2. b. 

    Prepare an SSA-408 Route Slip for paper cases or SSA-5002 Report of Contact for electronic cases and annotate with the reason for the transfer,

  3. c. 

    Forward the DHU folder with the claims folder (if available) to the receiving DHU,

  4. d. 

    Update the case control system if the claims folder is being forwarded, and

  5. e. 

    Advise the disability determination service (DDS) of the DHU now having jurisdiction if the claims folder is in the DDS.

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0433010040
DI 33010.040 - Transferring Case to a Different Disability Hearing Unit (DHU) - 09/05/2019
Batch run: 09/05/2019
Rev:09/05/2019