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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
6 WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT SEATTLE
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IN RE:
9 AMENDED GENERAL ORDER 05-15
ACTIONS SEEKING REVIEW OF THE RE: SOCIAL SECURITY CASES
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COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL
11 SECURITY’S FINAL DECISION
DENYING AN APPLICATION FOR
12 BENEFITS
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14 This Order was amended on December 2, 2022, in response to the adoption of
15 Supplemental Rules for Social Security Actions Under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) to the Federal Rules
16 of Civil Procedure. The Court adopted the following rules pertaining to all complaints instituted
17 by a plaintiff against the Commissioner in which the only claim that is being brought is pursuant
18 to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Paragraph (1) of the Order is now being amended to allow plaintiffs the
19 option of providing the Beneficiary Notice Control Number (“BNC”) of their hearing decision
20 instead of their social security number, given the sensitivity of that data.
21 THE COURT HEREBY ORDERS:
22 (1) No later than seven (7) days following the court’s notification to the
23 Commissioner of the commencement of the action, the plaintiff shall provide the United States
RE: SOCIAL SECURITY CASES - 1
1 Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington (“USAO-WDWA”) with: (a) the
2 plaintiff’s full name and (b) either the plaintiff’s social security number or the Beneficiary Notice
3 Control Number (“BNC”) of the hearing decision that the plaintiff wishes to appeal. This
4 identifying information is necessary for the Commissioner to obtain and produce the certified
5 administrative record. This information shall be provided to the USAO-WDWA either by email
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[email protected] or delivery, by hand or mail, to “SSA Clerk Civil Division”
7 at 700 Stewart Street, Suite 5220, Seattle, WA 98101.
8 (2) The Commissioner is not required to file a Notice of Filing of the Certified
9 Administrative Record when the administrative record is filed in electronic format. Such notice
10 shall only be required in cases where the administrative record is filed in paper format.
11 (3) The effective date of this Order is October 23, 2024. The Court reserves the right
12 to modify this order from time to time, or rescind the order entirely, as the Court determines
13 necessary in light of experience.
14 (4) The Clerk of Court shall post a copy of this Order on the Court’s website and
15 shall distribute copies as the Clerk deems appropriate.
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17 Dated this 23rd day of October, 2024.
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20 David G. Estudillo
Chief United States District Judge
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RE: SOCIAL SECURITY CASES - 2
