Administrative Judges (AJs), under the supervision of the Chief Administrative Law Judge, conduct independent and impartial hearings and reviews of the record in various types of cases. The AJs encourages the parties to settle cases by agreement, if possible, using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) if needed. Otherwise, the judge considers the facts established by the record, and applies the appropriate federal statutes and regulations to arrive at a decision in each case.

The HUD AJs conduct reviews of administrative wage garnishment cases under 24 C.F.R. § 17.170 and 31 C.F.R. § 285.11(f); and cases involving administrative offset of various federal payments due debtors who have a past-due debt obligation to the Department under 24 C.F.R. § 17.150-17.161. The AJs also decide salary offset cases for agencies outside of HUD. Decisions of the AJs in offset cases are final agency decisions. In addition, the Administrative Judges decide cases relating to limited denial of participation, debarment, and suspension under 2 C.F.R. Part 180 and 24 C.F.R. Part 26, Subpart A. The parties are advised if a decision may be appealed, and instructed on the procedure and time-limit for any appeal.