410.697—Decision by Appeals Council on review of hearing officer's decision.
The decision of the Appeals Council shall be based upon evidence received into the hearing record (see § 410.692(j)) and such further evidence as the Appeals Council may receive (see § 410.696) and shall either affirm, reverse, or modify the hearing officer's decision. The Appeals Council, in modifying a hearing officer's decision suspending the individual for a specified period shall in no event reduce a period of suspension to less than 1 year, or in modifying a hearing officer's decision to disqualify an individual shall in no event impose a period of suspension of less than 1 year. Where the Appeals Council affirms or modifies a hearing officer's decision, the period of suspension or disqualification shall be effective from the date of the Appeals Council's decision. Where a period of suspension or disqualification is initially imposed by the Appeals Council, such suspension or disqualification shall be effective from the date of the Appeals Council's decision. The decision of the Appeals Council will be in writing and a copy of the decision will be mailed to the individual at his last known address and to the Deputy Commissioner for Programs and Policy, or his or her designee.