Pursuant to the Mayor’s recent emergency Declarations and for their durations, the OAH is operating under a full telework schedule, with a limited ability to discharge all of its adjudication services—meaning that all agency personnel will be required to work remotely while carrying out essential agency functions.
Because of these limitations, only those hearings and other matters related to Public Benefits (TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, and Shelter) and Unemployment Insurance will be given priority by relevant agency staff, using the reduced resources and infrastructure available in this circumstance. This is because the matters related to Public Benefits and UI affect our most vulnerable litigants in direct and immediate ways that impact their health, safety and continued financial security.
OAH simply does not have the capacity to conduct ALL hearings and related operations remotely and without full access to its case files, relevant documents, audio/video and electronic equipment; similarly, OAH staff is limited in its ability to communicate with litigants, their representatives and outside agency staff whose schedules and operations have also been impacted by the Mayor's Declarations.
To prepare for this focused effort, OAH has cancelled all scheduled hearings for March 16 through March 18. Affected litigants have been notified and these notifications will continue until completed. At the same time, OAH will prepare staff and its infrastructure to handle all essential scheduled hearings—and emergency hearings—by telephone and by managing the operational challenges associated with discharging our responsibilities under these unique circumstances.
Beginning Monday, March 16, please continue to check the OAH website (https://oah.dc.gov) and voicemail messages on its main number (202) 442-9094 for further information and updates.