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Post by coleslawyer on Feb 28, 2024 14:04:21 GMT -5
Since we were in here fielding questions about the application process, here's something I've been chewing on since the last posting went up and down: As a claimant rep hoping to transition into an ALJ and with the seemingly perpetual use of online video and telephonic hearing, what's the best way to really build a relationship with judges well enough to cite them as judicial references on the application? Maybe I shot myself in the foot a bit by moving to a different region shortly before COVID, but I've found it's a lot harder to build relationships with ALJs nowadays.
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Post by ssaogc on Feb 28, 2024 16:16:45 GMT -5
Since we were in here fielding questions about the application process, here's something I've been chewing on since the last posting went up and down: As a claimant rep hoping to transition into an ALJ and with the seemingly perpetual use of online video and telephonic hearing, what's the best way to really build a relationship with judges well enough to cite them as judicial references on the application? Maybe I shot myself in the foot a bit by moving to a different region shortly before COVID, but I've found it's a lot harder to build relationships with ALJs nowadays. Do In Person Hearings. There are some of us that do not mind going to the office and having live human contact. I personally feel that the in person hearings are best as they add a different perspective that is missing in telephonic and MS Teams hearings (most do not happen because claimants cannot figure out MSTeams, or their mike/camera does not work. |
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Post by nylawyer on Feb 28, 2024 20:24:31 GMT -5
Since we were in here fielding questions about the application process, here's something I've been chewing on since the last posting went up and down: As a claimant rep hoping to transition into an ALJ and with the seemingly perpetual use of online video and telephonic hearing, what's the best way to really build a relationship with judges well enough to cite them as judicial references on the application? Maybe I shot myself in the foot a bit by moving to a different region shortly before COVID, but I've found it's a lot harder to build relationships with ALJs nowadays. Honestly? Be prepared for your hearing, and have your client prepared. Be pleasant (but zealous) in your advocacy. Efficiently and competently cross the VE without just harranguing. You'll be noticed, on the phone or in person. And I for one have no problem speaking with the rep off the record prior to the hearing if there are challenges they want to let me know about. |
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Post by coleslawyer on Mar 1, 2024 11:15:44 GMT -5
Thank you both for the replies! I'll keep that all in mind, particularly when it comes to knowing that I may be a known entity even when it's not apparent during remote hearings. I'd love to do more in person hearings, of course, but I do find that - at least with the claimants I typically serve - the benefits of at-home hearings far outweigh the benefits of live hearings. I suppose I'm also lucky that, at least in my little sliver of anecdotal experience, I haven't seen more than a small handful of technical issues caused by at-home hearings. I guess that's the difference between one rep's hearing load and the much higher numbers on the Administration's side.
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Post by hal3000 on Mar 24, 2024 16:44:23 GMT -5
I've heard there was a very large hire in 2019 to address a large backlog, and if there is a RIF, it would be last in first out, so there may be a significant # of OMHA ALJs on an OPM priority referral RIF list.
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ducky
Full Member
Blowing in the wind
Posts: 108 
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Post by ducky on Mar 26, 2024 1:12:16 GMT -5
Because of the budget status, we were told there’s not likely to be an ALJ class this FY.
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Post by neufenland on Mar 26, 2024 11:12:44 GMT -5
Not for nothing, but it’d be nice for them to go ahead and close out the 2022 announcement on USAJOBS. I mean, I know there’s no chance of a hire off of it at this point, but for finality’s sake, the official FOAD from OPM would be nice. Especially for those of us who interviewed.
Also, it puts folks on official notice that the next go-around will require new applications. FY 25 starts in around six months, right? No way there will be a budget, though.
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Post by OhNoOHO on Mar 29, 2024 11:00:38 GMT -5
As someone who was not eligible to apply before, what are the things you need to apply for an ALJ position, if one opens?
Things such as resume (how detailed/any specific format?), transcripts (official or unofficial?), proof of bar (is a screenshot good enough?), SSA 45 (needed, not needed, better to have even if not needed?), writing samples, number of references, etc?
Thanks!
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Post by badger on Mar 29, 2024 20:23:21 GMT -5
As someone who was not eligible to apply before, what are the things you need to apply for an ALJ position, if one opens? Things such as resume (how detailed/any specific format?), transcripts (official or unofficial?), proof of bar (is a screenshot good enough?), SSA 45 (needed, not needed, better to have even if not needed?), writing samples, number of references, etc? Thanks! The job posting with all the specifics is still up. www.usajobs.gov/job/651261700/ |
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Post by fedworker2 on Jun 20, 2024 20:00:28 GMT -5
It has been a while since any news on this front - Any insiders have any news/rumors/educated guesses as to when the next SSA ALJ Job posting will be? Any hope for FY 2025, or will it likely be FY 2026 or later?
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Post by rmspringfield on Jun 20, 2024 22:23:30 GMT -5
It has been a while since any news on this front - Any insiders have any news/rumors/educated guesses as to when the next SSA ALJ Job posting will be? Any hope for FY 2025, or will it likely be FY 2026 or later? It's not going to be for a while folks. It hasn't even been a year since the 2023 class got "the call". There are a few offices that have posted opportunities for transfers. But only a few. Meanwhile many other offices don't have the cases to schedule for their ALJs to meet the disposition targets. The new commissioner is pushing for Congress to increase the budget, with a push for hiring. But the hiring push is for customer service personnel and front line workers processing applications. Until the state agency level cases get processed and the phone gets answered by a live person in a reasonable time lots of ALJs aren't going to have the caseloads they did pre COVID. And if that's the case there's not going to be a push to hire ALJs until the disposition targets are being met but the backlog at hearing level is growing again. Sometimes you'll see scuttle on this board about transfer lists being worked up and that sometimes turns out to be an indicator that the agency is moving the furniture around. And a few months after that you might see the job posting hit. That's not always the case. But it tells you the wind is blowing. Keep your USAJobs searches active on the profile but don't wait by the phone. |
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Post by neufenland on Jun 21, 2024 16:49:27 GMT -5
It has been a while since any news on this front - Any insiders have any news/rumors/educated guesses as to when the next SSA ALJ Job posting will be? Any hope for FY 2025, or will it likely be FY 2026 or later? It's not going to be for a while folks. It hasn't even been a year since the 2023 class got "the call". There are a few offices that have posted opportunities for transfers. But only a few. Meanwhile many other offices don't have the cases to schedule for their ALJs to meet the disposition targets. The new commissioner is pushing for Congress to increase the budget, with a push for hiring. But the hiring push is for customer service personnel and front line workers processing applications. Until the state agency level cases get processed and the phone gets answered by a live person in a reasonable time lots of ALJs aren't going to have the caseloads they did pre COVID. And if that's the case there's not going to be a push to hire ALJs until the disposition targets are being met but the backlog at hearing level is growing again. Sometimes you'll see scuttle on this board about transfer lists being worked up and that sometimes turns out to be an indicator that the agency is moving the furniture around. And a few months after that you might see the job posting hit. That's not always the case. But it tells you the wind is blowing. Keep your USAJobs searches active on the profile but don't wait by the phone. I’m not sure I even want to work for SSA anymore. I’ve gotten my hopes up too many times. |
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td37
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Posts: 43 
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Post by td37 on Jun 23, 2024 17:36:16 GMT -5
I'd be shocked if it's before FY26. There's active talks about "make work" for ALJs in some offices because OHO doesn't have enough cases.
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Post by nylawyer on Jun 25, 2024 5:42:56 GMT -5
I'd be shocked if it's before FY26. There's active talks about "make work" for ALJs in some offices because OHO doesn't have enough cases. If accurate, thus is beyond absurd. It has never been easier to shift cases between offices. |
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Post by prescient on Jun 25, 2024 12:27:49 GMT -5
Unless they can figure out a way to break the log jam at DDS, I don’t see hiring coming any time soon.
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Happy_GS
Full Member
I can do this all day
Posts: 34
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Post by Happy_GS on Jun 25, 2024 17:45:39 GMT -5
I'd be shocked if it's before FY26. There's active talks about "make work" for ALJs in some offices because OHO doesn't have enough cases. If accurate, thus is beyond absurd. It has never been easier to shift cases between offices. It’s not about shifting work between offices, entire regions are starting to run out of cases. It’s about fixing DDS, that is where all the cases are waiting. A bunch of SSA attorneys were detailed to DDS, but they’re focused on fast tracking cases ready for approval, rather than moving denials to the hearing stage. Additionally, Congress has placed parameters on DDS funding that requires them to perform a certain number of CDRs annually (even when the vast majority of these CDRs are unnecessary and don’t result in any change in benefits). |
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td37
Full Member
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Post by td37 on Jun 25, 2024 20:16:34 GMT -5
Exactly, shifting cases won't help much. Almost no OHO office nationally has many cases to spare. At some point the DDS backlog will make its way up to the appeals levels but its not happening fast enough to keep current ALJs busy much less be optimistic for more hiring.
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Post by badger on Jun 26, 2024 7:11:36 GMT -5
If accurate, thus is beyond absurd. It has never been easier to shift cases between offices. A bunch of SSA attorneys were detailed to DDS, but they’re focused on fast tracking cases ready for approval, rather than moving denials to the hearing stage. They have a DDS workload like any other examiner working for DDS and make the initial determination. Can be an approval or denial. |
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Post by AAmillennial on Jun 26, 2024 11:34:39 GMT -5
Unless they can figure out a way to break the log jam at DDS, I don’t see hiring coming any time soon. This is correct. There are not enough cases at hearing for the current ALJs to fill dockets. Last I heard, approximately a month or two ago, the DDS backlog sits around 1.2 million. That's similar to the OHO hearing backlog number in 2014ish, IIRC. I'm one of those AAs currently detailed to DDS, and even with the recent implementation of detail OT, change in PRW rules, and pausing DDS CDRs, I don't envision this detail ending for several years until state DDS's can get hiring and training of new disability examiners to adequate levels. |
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Post by seaprongs on Jun 26, 2024 20:45:34 GMT -5
Unless they can figure out a way to break the log jam at DDS, I don’t see hiring coming any time soon. This is correct. There are not enough cases at hearing for the current ALJs to fill dockets. Last I heard, approximately a month or two ago, the DDS backlog sits around 1.2 million. That's similar to the OHO hearing backlog number in 2014ish, IIRC. I'm one of those AAs currently detailed to DDS, and even with the recent implementation of detail OT, change in PRW rules, and pausing DDS CDRs, I don't envision this detail ending for several years until state DDS's can get hiring and training of new disability examiners to adequate levels. I feel like most attorneys at OHO fall into 2 categories: those on detail to DDS, and those who have declined a detail to DDS. I don't see these details ending any time either. Hiring, training and retaining state DDS examiners is like trying to herd 50 different cats. There's just not a quick fix to the backlog, and the workload is going to bottleneck at DDS until we can jam it free. |
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