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No. 19-1442October Term 2019Decided Apr 22, 2021Updated May 24, 2026

Docket 19-1442October Term 2019 (2019–2020)

Carr v. Saul

This case asked whether people seeking Social Security disability benefits can challenge the constitutional appointment of the administrative law judge who denied their claims if they did not raise that issue during the agency process.

Case status

Decided 9-0 · April 22, 2021 · Opinion by Justice Sotomayor

Read the opinion (PDF)
Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released Apr 22, 2021
Case Accepted
Arguments
Decision ReleasedApr 22, 2021
What it's about

This case asked whether people seeking Social Security disability benefits can challenge the constitutional appointment of the administrative law judge who denied their claims if they did not raise that issue during the agency process. The Supreme Court held that they do not lose that argument by failing to present it in their administrative proceedings.

Question presented

Whether claimants seeking disability benefits under the Social Security Act must exhaust Appointments Clause challenges before the Administrative Law Judge as a prerequisite to obtaining judicial review.

Case path

United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit / Decision released Apr 22, 2021

Area

Administrative Law

Timing

Decided April 22, 2021

The Court released its decision on April 22, 2021 without hearing oral argument.

Activity

Docket activity3
  • Brief added: Questions Presented

    May 24, 2026 | Court records

  • Opinion added: opinion

    Apr 22, 2021 | Court records

  • Brief added: Petition

    Jun 29, 2020 | Court records