2018 Dollar Amount in Controversy Required to Sustain Appeal Rights for an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing or Federal District Court Review

Each year the dollar amount in controversy required to sustain appeal rights may be adjusted. The Social Security Act (the Act), requires an annual reevaluation of the dollar amount in controversy required for an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing and for Federal District Court review.  The amount that must remain in controversy for ALJ hearing requests filed on or before December 31, 2017 is $160. This amount will remain at $160 for ALJ hearing requests filed on or after January 1, 2018.  The amount that must remain in controversy for reviews in Federal District Court requested on or before December 31, 2017 is $1,560. This amount will increase to $1,600 for appeals to Federal District Court filed on or after January 1, 2018.