No. 19-1442October Term 2019Decided Apr 22, 2021Updated May 24, 2026
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
- 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.
Documents
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
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Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 25, 2026
- Method
- Methodology