Your SSA Notice of Hearing, Explained
Also called: Notice of Hearing, HA-504 Acknowledgment of Receipt (Notice of Hearing), HA-504-SP
Last reviewed 2026-07-18
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What this notice usually means
A notice of hearing is the letter Social Security's Office of Hearings Operations sends after you ask for a disability hearing. It sets the date, time, and format for your hearing. You may appear by phone, by video, or in person. Social Security must mail this notice at least 75 days before the hearing date, unless you waive that advance notice in writing. The notice lists the issues in your case. It explains your right to pick a representative and the steps to ask for a change in the time or place. With the notice, Social Security sends a separate form called HA-504, Acknowledgment of Receipt (Notice of Hearing). That form asks you to confirm you got the notice and to say whether you plan to attend. An administrative law judge holds the hearing and decides your case. This notice only sets the date and explains the process.
See every source line for this notice
“must send a notice of hearing to the claimant and the appointed representative, if any, at least 75 days before the date set for a hearing, unless the claimant waives the right to advance notice in writing.”
“Whether your appearance or that of any other party or witness is scheduled to be made by video teleconferencing, in person”
“will send a form HA-504, Acknowledgment of Receipt (Notice of Hearing), or the Spanish version, HA-504-SP, to the claimant and appointed representative, if any.”
“The notice of hearing will ask you to return a form to let us know that you received the notice. If you or your representative do not acknowledge receipt of the notice of hearing, we will attempt to contact you for an explanation.”
“A statement of the issues to be decided and the claimant's right to object to those issues.”
“An explanation of the procedures for requesting a change in the time and, if applicable, place of the hearing.”
What to do now
- 1
Watch for the mailed notice
Social Security must mail your notice of hearing at least 75 days before the hearing date. Check your mail and any online case account around that time. Your own notice has your real hearing date, time, and format.
- 2
Check your hearing format
The notice tells you if your hearing is by phone, by video, or in person. If your hearing is by phone, the notice lists the phone number Social Security will call.
- 3
Return the HA-504 acknowledgment form
Social Security sends Form HA-504 with your notice. Fill it out and send it back in the envelope provided. This tells Social Security you got the notice and whether you plan to attend.
- 4
Send new evidence early
Tell Social Security about any new evidence, or send it in. Do this at least 5 business days before your hearing. Evidence sent later can be left out unless you show good cause.
- 5
Ask about a change in time or place
The notice explains the steps to request a different hearing time or place. Call the number on your notice if you need a change.
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Deadline
Social Security must mail your notice of hearing at least 75 days before the hearing date, unless you waive that advance notice in writing. Return your HA-504 acknowledgment form early. If Social Security does not receive it at least 30 days before the hearing, staff will try to reach you. Send any new evidence no later than 5 business days before the hearing. An amended notice, if one is sent, arrives at least 20 days before the new hearing date. Your own notice has your real hearing date and deadlines.
“We will mail or serve the notice at least 75 days before the date of the hearing.”
“If OHO mailed a notice of hearing at least 75 days before the date set for the hearing but does not receive the acknowledgment form at least 30 days before the hearing, OHO staff will attempt to contact the claimant or appointed representative, if any, for an explanation.”
“A statement that the claimant must inform us about or submit written evidence that is not already in the record no later than 5 business days before the date of the scheduled hearing, unless good cause exists for missing that deadline.”
“If we need to send you an amended notice of hearing, we will mail or serve the notice at least 20 days before the date of the hearing.”
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Sources
- SSA HALLEX I-2-3-15, Notice of Hearing (ssa.gov)Retrieved 2026-07-18
- SSA HALLEX I-2-3-20, Acknowledgment of Notice of Hearing (ssa.gov)Retrieved 2026-07-18
- SSA's posted text of 20 CFR 404.938, Notice of a hearing before an administrative law judge (ssa.gov)Retrieved 2026-07-18
- eCFR, 20 CFR 404.938: Notice of a hearing before an administrative law judge (ecfr.gov)Retrieved 2026-07-18
Last reviewed 2026-07-18
Related notices
Related words
ALJ hearing
An ALJ hearing is a hearing before a judge. You ask for one after Social Security denies your reconsideration. You generally have 60 days after you get that denial.
Good cause
Good cause is a valid reason, like a serious illness, for a late filing. For Social Security, it may let the agency accept a late appeal.
Related questions
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