If the claimant changes residences while a RH is pending, and the
claimant has objected to appearing by audio, by agency video, or both, see
HALLEX HA 01205.021. If
the claimant did not object to appearing by audio, by agency video,
or both, and the claimant notifies SSA of a change in residence address
that falls under the jurisdiction of another HO, using the instructions
in HALLEX HA 01230.010,
Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) management, through designated staff,
will schedule the claimant's appearance by audio, by agency video, or,
if the claimant agrees, by online video, whenever possible. When OHO
management, through designated staff, determines an audio, agency video,
or online video hearing is not possible and the claimant would need to
travel more than 75 miles to a hearing site in the HO's jurisdiction,
the Hearing Office Chief Administrative Law Judge (HOCALJ) will determine
and arrange any appropriate case transfer.
A change in mailing address is not
sufficient to establish a change of residence (e.g., a change of address
to a P.O. Box does not establish a change of residence).
OHO management, through designated staff, is not required
to develop a residence change issue if the claimant does not submit
evidence establishing a change of residence. However, if a change in
mailing address suggests that a claimant may need to travel more than
75 miles to the hearing site, OHO management, through designated staff,
may contact the claimant or representative to verify the residence
address. OHO management, through designated staff, will document the
contact on a Report of Contact (form SSA-5002) and associate the document
with the file as an exhibit.