Program Operations Manual Systems (POMS)  

These are guidelines for day-to-day operations used by the district and regional offices and the state agencies.  The POMS generally should be consulted if the regulations do not address a specific topic in detail. 

The POMS is available for inspection and copying at each Social Security District office.  20 C.F.R. § 422.430(b)(1).  The POMS is available on CD-ROM through the Government Printing Office.

Superintendent of Documents
PO Box 371954
Pittsburgh, PA 158250-7654
Fax: orders: (202) 512-2250
Phone orders: (202) 512-1800

More Information on POMS
For a more complete description of the POMS and a discussion of several topics including “What is POMS,”  “How are POMS Organized,”  “Access To and Maintenance of POMS,” and the all important “Why use the POMS, how can they help?”

Social Security Rulings

These are useful for advocates but are not generally helpful to the public. Rulings are binding on all components of the Social Security Administration and are based on federal court and administrative decisions, policy statements and opinions of the Office of General Counsel. The rulings do not have force of law or regulations but are used as precedent, primarily by Administrative Law Judges.

Copies are kept at each district office and are available for inspection 20 C.F.R. § 422.430(a)(4). Social Security Rulings and Acquiescence Rulings are also available online.

HALLEX

Hearings, Appeals, Litigation & Law (LEX) Manual – This is useful for advocates but is not generally helpful to the public. The manual provides Administrative Law Judges with the policies, procedures and other information from the Associate Commissioner of Hearings and Appeals and the Appeals Council.  It supersedes the Office of Hearings and Appeals Handbook.  Administrative Law Judges and their staff use the guidelines but do not have the force of law. Topics include (but are not limited to): use of Medical Advisors and Vocational Experts, representation of claimants, representative fees – Equal Access to Justice Act, fraud and criminal violations and administrative hearings.

Each Office of Hearings and Appeals has one set available for public inspection and copying under Freedom of Information Act.  HALLEX-I-1-004(D)(3/40). It may be purchased through the National Technical Information Service.  HALLEX selections are also available online.

More Information on HALLEX.

Program Circulars

These are useful for advocates but are not generally helpful to the public. The circulars discuss district office and state agency policies. The Social Security Administration’s national and regional offices distribute them.  These circulars do not bind the Administrative Law Judges although the circulars can be persuasive. They are not generally available to the public but can be requested under the Freedom of Information Act.