SI 00870.045 Processing PASS Reconsiderations
A. POLICY -- GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT PROCESSING PASS
RECONSIDERATION REQUESTS
Current regulations provide individuals with the option of having an
informal conference as part of the reconsideration process. The
regulations further state that the conference is to be conducted by the
person who will make the decision on the case. The PASS experts will
handle most reconsideration requests. Thus, the instructions that follow
are principally directed to them.
B. PROCEDURE -- PROCESSING PASS RECONSIDERATION REQUESTS
1. Individual Requests Case Review
If the individual requests a case review rather than an informal
conference, make sure that the case is reviewed by a PASS expert other
than the one who made the initial determination.
2. Individual Requests Conference
If the individual, who requests an informal conference, is agreeable to
it being handled by telephone, contact the person to ascertain the best
time to conduct the teleconference if such information has not been
obtained previously. Review the case and be prepared to discuss the
issue(s) with the person when you conduct the teleconference. If the
individual has pertinent material to submit, ask the person either to
mail the material to you, or to take or mail the material to the
servicing FO to be mailed or faxed to you. After the teleconference,
write your decision and issue the notice to the individual or provide the
FO with language to be used in the notice, as appropriate. If the latter,
remind the FO to send a copy of the notice to you. Also, make
corresponding system's inputs or, if appropriate, advise the FO as to the
required inputs.
If the individual insists on the conference being conducted in person,
ask your supervisor whether you can travel. If you can't travel, refer
the reconsideration request to the manager of the servicing FO, if not
already referred. Advise the FO to follow the instructions in SI00870.020C.
[Last Change: 09/00]