The Oklahoma Bar Journal October 2026

10. 20 CFR §404.1520(a)(4)(ii) and (c); 20 CFR §416.920(a)(4)(ii) and (c). 11. 20 CFR §404.1522; 20 CFR §416.922. See also SSR 85-28. SSRs (Social Security Rulings) are binding, precedential policy interpretations and decisions the agency publishes providing official guidance to SSA employees such as ALJs. 12. See 20 CFR §404.1502 and 20 CFR §416.902 for the definition of an acceptable medical source. 13. 20 CFR §404.1521; 20 CFR §416.921. 14. 20 CFR §404.1520(a)(4)(iii) and (d); 20 CFR §416.920(a)(4)(iii) and (d). 15. Appendix 1 to Subpart P of Part 404 – Listing of Impairments; see also https://bit.ly/4r33tyM , which provides information regarding the evidentiary requirements and other useful information related to impairments. 16. 20 CFR §404.1526; 20 CFR §416.926. 17. 20 CFR §§404.1545, 404.1546; 20 CFR §§416.945, 416.946. See also SSR 96-8p. 18. 20 CFR §§404.1567, 404.1569a(b); 20 CFR §§416.967, 416.969a(b). See also SSR 83-10 and SSR 85-15. 19. 20 CFR §404.1569a(c); 20 CFR §416.969a(c). See also SSR 83-10 and SSR 85-15. 20. 20 CFR §404.1545(a)(1) 20 CFR §416.945(a)(1). 21. 20 CFR §404.1545(a)(2); 20 CFR §416.945(a) (2). See also SSR 96-8p. 22. Typically, as of the date of the determination or decision. 23. See SSR 24-2p. 24. 20 CFR §404.1560; 20 CFR §416.960. See also SSR 24-2p.

25. Not all claimants will have PRW and if they do not, the analysis proceeds to step five. 26. 2 CFR §404.1566; 20 CFR §416.966. 27. 20 CFR §404.1564; 20 CFR §416.964. 28. 20 CFR §404.1520(a)(4)(v); 20 CFR 29. 20 CFR §404.1563; 20 CFR §416.963. 30. Appendix 2 to Subpart P of Part 404 – Medical-Vocational Guidelines. See also 20 CFR §404.1569; 20 CFR §416.969. 31. 20 CFR §404.1568; 20 CFR §416.968. See also SSR 83-11. 32. 20 CFR §404.1569a(d); 20 CFR 416.969a(d) Appendix 2 to Subpart P of Part 404 – Medical Vocational Guidelines, 200.00(e)(2)s; SSR 83-12; SSR 83-14. 33. 20 CFR §404.1601 et seq. ; 20 CFR §416.1001 et seq. 34. 20 CFR §404.1517 et seq. ; 20 CFR §416.917 et seq. See 20 CFR §1518; 20 CFR §416.918 (regarding denial for failure to attend CE). 35. 20 CFR §§404.1615, 404.1616; 20 CFR §§416.1015, 416.1016. 36. 20 CFR §404.902 et seq. ; 20 CFR §416.1402 et seq. 37. The rules and regulations governing return to work issues, medical improvement or other disqualifying events are beyond the scope of this article on the basics of SSA disability claims. 38. 20 CFR §404.907 et seq. ; 20 CFR §416.1407 et seq. 39. 20 CFR §404.919 et seq. ; 20 CFR §416.1429 et seq. Form HA-501 is “Request for Hearing by §416.920(a)(4)(v).

Administrative Law Judge,” form but a written request with the individual’s name and Social Security number, spouse’s name and Social Security number, the reasons for disagreeing with the reconsideration determination, a statement of additional evidence to be submitted and the date of submittal, and the name and address of any designated representative will suffice. 40. Over the last decade, the hearing office has had a variety of designations. For purposes of this article specific designations are ignored in favor of a general reference to the “hearing office.” 41. Representatives can be attorneys or non-attorneys. See 20 CFR §404.1705; 20 CFR §416.1505. 42. 20 CFR §404.1566(e); 20 CFR §416.966(e). See also SSR 24-3p and HA 01250.048. 43. See HA 1250.034. HA, or HALLEX, is the Hearings, Appeals, and Litigation Law Manual . 44. While the individual’s testimony cannot be relied on the establish an MDI, the testimony may be relied upon to assess symptoms such as pain in considering what it is the individual can and cannot do. See SSR 16-3p. 45. 20 CFR §404.1566; 20 CFR §416.966. 46. If the claim is denied at the hearing level, the claimant may appeal first to the Appeals Council, and if denied at the Appeals Council, the federal district court. See 20 CFR §404.967 et seq. ; 20 CFR 416.1467 et seq. 47. If appealed to the federal district court, an attorney will be required unless the claimant proceeds pro se.

Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff.

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL