When must new offers be accepted?

[notafed]

For the benefit of those of us who wait, when must those who received offers reply to accept or reject?

What was the date on your letter?

[happy]

Dear XXXXX:

Congratulations! You have been selected for an ALJ position in XXXXX, effective July 20, 2008. I have listed some general information for you below. Please respond by next week with your answer.

You will report to your duty station Monday, July 21, 2008, remain there for two weeks and then report to Baltimore, MD, on August 4, 2008 for formal training. If you decline our offer, please do so in writing but if you are accepting, a statement of acceptance will be provided in the package to be mailed to you in the next few days.

--Please respond with your correct home address so the orientation materials will be sent correctly and add any phone numbers that are better in which to reach you.

--If employed by the Fed. Govt., we need the name of agency and Personnel Office contact name and number.

--A selection letter and all information concerning Government employment will be mailed in the next few days. There will be some actions on your part that will need to be done quickly, i.e., obtaining fingerprints, but please first read all the information provided in the package and follow it.

Note: If you are currently a civilian Federal Government employee and the offered location is not in the commuting area, you will receive payment for relocation. Names and numbers for that process will be provided in the package. If you are not currently a civilian Government employee, no relocation assistance will be provided by SSA.

Please do not contact the Hearing Office where you have been selected until we have all the offers made and the SSA officials have been notified.

If you want information on benefits, retirement, etc., you may go to this website—
www.opm.gov/insure/health/new_employees.asp

[notafed]

Thanks, Happy!

I take the letter to mean that if one declines, the response should be sent to ODAR by the 4th of July, i.e. the end of "next week."

Right?