# Returning Evidence at the Appeals Council Level
> **US Social Security Administration** · Final rule. · Published 2016-02-05 · Effective 2016-02-05 · 81 FR 6170
## Document
- **Document number:** 2016-02267
- **Category:** ssa-other
- **Agency:** US Social Security Administration
- **Federal Register citation:** 81 FR 6170
- **CFR reference:** 20 CFR 404
- **Publication date:** 2016-02-05
- **Effective date:** 2016-02-05
- **Docket:** Docket No. SSA-2013-0061
## Abstract

This final rule adopts the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that we published in the Federal Register on October 21, 2015. This final rule revises our rules regarding returning evidence at the Appeals Council (AC) level. Under this final rule, the AC will no longer return additional evidence it receives when the AC determines the additional evidence does not relate to the period on or before the date of the administrative law judge (ALJ) decision.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/02/05/2016-02267/returning-evidence-at-the-appeals-council-level)
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