The Social Security Administration will offer online video hearings beginning this fall for people awaiting a hearing decision.

This new free service will allow applicants and their representatives to participate in the hearing from anywhere they have access to a camera-enabled smartphone, tablet or computer.

This secure online platform allows the Social Security judge to see and interact with applicants and their representatives just like an in-person hearing, while maintaining privacy of the claimant’s information. Other experts, such as medical or vocational experts, may participate as well.

”The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of finding new ways to serve the public,” Commissioner of Social Security Andrew Saul said in a written statement.

”For over a decade, the agency has used video hearings to get applicants their hearing decisions sooner,” he added. ”This advancement builds on that effort, making it easier and more convenient to attend a hearing remotely, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. To continue to ensure all participants’ safety, we expect online video hearings and telephone hearings will be the only two hearing options for the foreseeable future.”

Social Security has been conducting appeal hearings with administrative law judges via telephone only since March, while offices remain closed to the public to protect the health and safety of the public and employees.

The agency’s administrative law judges have held more than 180,000 telephone hearings since March.

For the new online video hearings, whether the device is a laptop, smartphone or tablet on either iPhone or Android, people will experience a clear picture and audio of the administrative law judge and their representative duing their hearing.

For updates on the implementation and expansion of this new hearing service, visit the agency’s COVID-19 web page at www.socialsecurity.gov/coromavirus.