OHO management, through designated staff, will send the Notice of Ways to Attend a Hearing (HA-L54) at the same time as they send the Acknowledgment of Request for Hearing Letter. See Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law (HALLEX) manual HA 01205.020 for when to send the Acknowledgment Letter. However, to highlight the importance of the Notice of Ways to Attend a Hearing, they will send the notice in a separate mailing from the Acknowledgment Letter. The notice will include a copy of the publication, “Your Options for How to Attend Your Hearing,” and the forms “Objection to Appearing by Audio or Agency Video” (HA-55) and “Agreement to Appearing by Online Video” (HA-56).

In general, the Notice of Ways to Attend a Hearing must advise the claimant of the four ways to attend a hearing:

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  in person at a Social Security Administration (SSA) office, such as a hearing office or a permanent remote site;

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  by audio using a telephone or similar audio-based technology;

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  by agency video using video equipment provided by SSA at an SSA office, such as a hearing office or a permanent remote site; or

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  by online video using a personal electronic device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer with an internet connection, in a private location.

Additionally, in general, the Notice of Ways to Attend a Hearing must advise the claimant of:

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  what to do if they do not want to attend the hearing by audio or agency video;

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  what to do if they agree to attend the hearing by online video; and

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  how to review evidence when attending the hearing by audio, agency video, or online video.