Comment from McKee, Christopher, Disability Action Center

SSA, I would like to see that SSA, regarding using teleconferencing and video hearings, allow a legal rep that is "long distance" from their claimant they represent to be able to represent them at the ALJ Hearing level by phone/video from the legal reps office. This most importantly allows for claimants to have better access to representatives representation. Many legal reps cannot afford the cost of travel to out of state or even long distance travel hearings. It's time away from the office, usually a half a day or longer if it's local. More than 1 day if its out of State. I have had luck with contacting a ODAR Office in Bronx, NY, and I do business in Texas. I was allowed by the ALJ to represent the claimant by telephone. It would be nice to be able to also link in via video software so that the parties at the hearing could see each other, especially my claimant. At the representatives expense, I would purchase the web cam, microphone, computer, etc. it would need to be compatible with SSA's hardware/software. So, perhaps informing us as legal reps what to purchase would be the best option as to avoid conflict. As for the proposed ruling, I do not have objections, only that i would expand this to include a section for the opportunity for legal representatives to do phone/video hearings from their office of business when necessary. I have had to withdrawal from many claimants in the past because I could not afford to go to where the scheduled hearing was as a result of them moving while waiting to be scheduled. This was a major disappointment to the claimant, and myself. Thank You, Christopher McKee