requested on-the-record decision - Disabilities Message Board

tiresome · 05-24-2005, 02:41 PM

Hello all. I just wanted to let everyone know that I went ahead and asked for an "on-the-record" decision. I sent the certified letter on 5-2 and received a letter on 5-19 stating that a decision was made "fully favorable". On 5-20 my local office called to make an appointment for me to come in and do the paperwork. Praise the Lord!!!!!!!!!!! I am so relieved.

feelbad · 05-25-2005, 07:15 AM

I am curious as to just what an 'on the record decision "is.I keep seeing this here on this site and really don't know just what it involves or how it differs from a regular decision??can you or someone else enlighten me on this please??thanks.Marcia

tiresome · 05-26-2005, 07:06 PM

That is what they call it when the Administrative Law Judge makes a decision based on what is in the applicants file. Sometimes they will do it on their own (it is rare but it happens) but you can ask for one. I felt certain that the ALJ would give me an approval once he/she read my file. Otherwise I would have had to wait until the hearing appointment, which is a 12 to 18 month wait in my state (when I called in April 2005 they told me they were working on the files from Oct/Nov of 2003, so I knew it would be a long wait).

feelbad · 05-27-2005, 06:24 AM

Thanks.So does having this sort of a decision mean that you kind of bypass all the normal channels and the judge just looks at all of your stuff themselves and then decides?this whole process can take such a very long time to get through it is so easy to get discouraged.The OTR decision would really help so many people.thank you for clarifying.Marcia

kaybee · 05-27-2005, 06:39 AM

Laura, may I ask what state you live in? My atty also plans to request an 'on the record decision' but we live in SC and I don't think we can hope it will be as quick a decision for my husband as yours was.