There is no direct operational relationship between the appeals process and administrative
finality.
An appeal request is not also a reopening request, and a reopening request is not
also an appeal request.
Administrative finality is not a “procedure” which should generally be explained to the claimant because he/she fails to file
an appeal request timely. However, if the interview shows that the claimant could
obtain additional evidence which may be new and material, the FO should explain that
if this evidence is obtained, SSA may still consider the effect of the evidence on
the prior determination or decision, even if good cause for late filing is not established.
The fact that the claimant did not file timely for appeal does not mean that the requirements
for reopening automatically exist.