20 CFR 404.956 : Employees' Benefits (§ 1.1 To Parts 1011-1099) — (Part 400 To Part 499) — Social Security Administration (Part 400 To Part 499) — Federal Old-Age, Survivors And Disability Insurance (1950- ) (§ 404.1 To § 404.2127) — Determinations, Administrative Review Process, And Reopening Of Determinations And Decisions (§ 404.900 To § 404.999D) — Administrative Law Judge Hearing Procedures (§ 404.944 To § 404.965) — Removal of a hearing request from an administrative law judge to the Appeals Council.

4 Aug 2016

If you have requested a hearing and the request is pending before an administrative law judge, the Appeals Council may assume responsibility for holding a hearing by requesting that the administrative law judge send the hearing request to it. If the Appeals Council holds a hearing, it shall conduct the hearing according to the rules for hearings before an administrative law judge. Notice shall be mailed to all parties at their last known address telling them that the Appeals Council has assumed responsibility for the case.

20 CFR 404.956
[45 FR 52081, Aug. 5, 1980, as amended at 51 FR 303, Jan. 3, 1986]