1613 Client's Rights Related to a Fair Hearing - The client or the client's representative shall have adequate opportunity to:

 

  1. Submit a request for a fair hearing, which may be on the Request for Administrative Hearing form, regarding any agency action. However, a hearing need not be granted if the request concerns only the validity of federal or state law or regulation. In addition, a hearing need not be granted when either state or federal law requires automatic adjustments for classes of recipients unless the reason for an individual appeal is incorrect computation. (See 1612 (1).)

    NOTE: Food Assistance Only - If it is unclear from the household's request what action it wishes to appeal, the State agency may request the household to clarify its grievance. The freedom to make a request for a hearing shall not be limited or interfered with in any way. A client has the right to appeal a decision if desired which may include concerns of the federal or state law or regulations.

  2. Examine the contents of his case file and all documents and records to be used by the agency at the hearing at a reasonable time before the date of the hearing as well as during the hearing. Refer to 1614 regarding confidential case file information.

  3. At his option, present his case himself, or with the aid of an authorized representative, and bring witnesses.

  4. Establish all pertinent facts and circumstances and advance any pertinent arguments without undue interference.

  5. Question or refute any testimony or evidence, including opportunity to confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses.
  6. Submit evidence to establish all pertinent facts and circumstances in the case.

 

1614 Responsibilities of the Local Office - Every applicant/recipient shall be informed in writing at the time of application and at the time of any subsequent action affecting cash, food assistance, or child care assistance of the right to a fair hearing, the method of obtaining such hearing, and that representation may be by an authorized representative such as legal counsel, relative, friend, or other spokesperson.

 

Agency hearing procedures shall be uniform, clearly written, and available to any interested party. At a minimum, the procedures shall include time limits for filing requests for appeals, advance notice requirements, hearing timeliness standards, and the rights and responsibilities of persons requesting a hearing. The booklet, Fair Hearing Procedures, shall be used for this purpose.

 

1614.1 Standard Procedures - The procedures set forth below shall be followed whenever a client makes an inquiry concerning a fair hearing, asks for fair hearing forms, or files a request for a fair hearing.
 

  1. The worker or supervisor should find out why the client is questioning the agency action. 

     

  2. If the client is only disagreeing with a federal or state law or policy, the reason for such policy should be discussed with the client.  

     

  3. If a client appears to be questioning the application of a federal or state law or policy to his individual situation (incorrect grant computation or use of incorrect facts), an administrative review shall be conducted to determine if the agency action was correct. Upon reconsideration, the agency may amend or change its decision at any time before or during the hearing. The hearing shall not be delayed or canceled because of this preliminary review.  

     

    If a satisfactory adjustment is reached prior to the hearing, the agency shall submit a written report to the hearing officer but the appeal shall remain pending until the client submits a signed written statement withdrawing the request for a fair hearing.

     

  4. If the client is questioning the decision regarding disability and the decision was made related to an SSI or SSA application for benefits, the client is to be referred to the SSA office to file an appeal. See 2637.

     

  5. If the client is questioning the decision regarding disability and the decision was made by Disability Determination and Referral Services (DDRS) based on an DCF request via the DD-1104 and DD-1105, the appeal will be processed through DDRS as specified in 1614.3.

     

  6. Food Assistance - When a household member or representative makes an oral request for a fair hearing to the local office or to the Office of Administrative Hearings by telephone or in person, the agency shall document the request by using the Request for Administrative Hearing form. The date of the request shall be the date the oral communication was made to the agency and that date shall appear on the form. Lack of signature by the household member on the form used to document an oral request shall not invalidate the request.

     

1614.2 Agency Conference - Local service centers shall offer agency conferences to households wishing to contest an adverse agency action. Local office staff shall advise households that use of an agency conference is optional and that it shall in no way replace or delay the fair hearing process. The following procedures apply:
 

  1. The agency conference may be attended by the eligibility worker responsible for the agency action and shall be attended by an eligibility supervisor and/or the agency EES Program Administrator, and by the household and/or its representative. An agency conference may lead to an informal resolution of the dispute. However, a fair hearing shall still be held unless the household makes a written withdrawal of its request for a fair hearing.
     
  2. The local agency shall offer agency conferences to households who wish to contest a denial of expedited food assistance service under the procedures outlined in 1415.1.
     
 

Such conferences shall be scheduled within 2 working days of the date the appeal is filed, unless the household requests that it be scheduled later or states that it does not wish to have an agency conference.

 

NOTE – Food Assistance Only - In the situation where a case may not have been resolved or settled between the client and the agency through the agency conference, the agency cannot withdraw, deny, or dismiss the scheduled fair hearing without the client first making a written withdrawal request.

 

1614.3 Completion of Summary - Within 15 days after the appellant has filed a request for a fair hearing, the agency shall furnish the appellant, or appellant’s representative, and the Office of Administrative Hearings with a copy of the summary. The summary sets forth the following information:
 

  1. Name and address of the appellant;

     

  2. a summary statement concerning why the appellant is filing a request for a fair hearing;

     

  3. a brief chronological summary of the agency action which led to the appeal and the agency's action after receiving the request for fair hearing;

     

  4. a statement of the basis for the agency's decision;

     

  5. a citation of the applicable policies relied upon by the agency;

     

  6. a copy of the notice which notified the appellant of the decision in question;

     

  7. applicable correspondence; and 

     
  8. the name and title of the person or persons who will represent the agency at the hearing. 

If through an agency conference as discussed in 1614.2, the appellant has withdrawn the appeal, completion of the summary is not necessary. The Request for Administrative Hearing should then be submitted, along with the Notice of Withdrawal of Appeal form, to the Office of Administrative Hearings within 7 days of the date of the request for a fair hearing.

 

1614.4 Informing the Client of Termination of Assistance - The agency shall promptly inform the client in writing if assistance is to be terminated pending the fair hearing decision.