# Administrative Review Process; Incorporation-by-Reference of Oral Findings of Fact and Rationale in Wholly Favorable Written Decisions
> **US Social Security Administration** · Final rules with request for comments. · Published 2004-10-20 · Effective 2004-10-20 · 69 FR 61594
## Document
- **Document number:** 04-23357
- **Category:** ssa-other
- **Agency:** US Social Security Administration
- **Federal Register citation:** 69 FR 61594
- **CFR reference:** 20 CFR 404
- **Publication date:** 2004-10-20
- **Effective date:** 2004-10-20
- **Docket:** Regulation Nos. 4 and 16
## Abstract

We are revising our regulations to provide an alternative procedure that an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) may use, in certain situations, to satisfy the existing requirement for issuing a written decision that gives the findings of fact and the reasons for the decision. If an ALJ enters a wholly favorable, oral decision into the record of a hearing, the ALJ, in certain situations, may fulfill the existing requirement for issuing a written decision that gives the findings and the reasons for the decision by issuing a written decision that incorporates by reference the findings of fact and the reasons stated orally at the hearing. Under the regulations as revised, this incorporation-by-reference procedure may not be used if the ALJ determines that the oral findings and reasons should be changed in the written decision. Where the ALJ determines that a change is required, the ALJ must issue a written decision that sets forth the findings of fact and the reasons for the decision under the existing procedure, without relying on the incorporation-by-reference procedure.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2004/10/20/04-23357/administrative-review-process-incorporation-by-reference-of-oral-findings-of-fact-and-rationale-in)
---
*MORVS · CC0 1.0*