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family must maintain their eligibility throughout the hearing process when a continuation of benefits is requested.

3. The Designee will: Immediately forward requests for hearing and any accompanying documentation received by the Designee to the CCPO.

Review the family’s case in particular the decision the family is in disagreement with, and if it is identified the decision is incorrect, contact the CCPO.

When contacted by the CCPO or CSQA, provide the requested information within one (1) business day.

4400-3 PRE-HEARING CONFERENCE The purpose of a pre-hearing conference is to clearly identify and understand the issue(s) in dispute and resolve them if possible, without having to proceed to a hearing. A pre-hearing conference is not required and the family or provider may choose to not participate and proceed directly to the hearing. The assigned Child Care Program Office (CCPO) Eligibility and Benefits Staff member will review the request for hearing to ensure it was received or postmarked within thirty (30) calendar days of the date the notice of determination was issued.

The Eligibility and Benefits Staff will:

1. Contact the Requestor The same or next business day of receiving the Request for Hearing CC46, CCPO Eligibility and Benefits Staff will contact the requestor to: a. Confirm the date the request was submitted is within the allowable thirty (30) day timeframe to include in the Pre- Hearing Conference form;

b. Offer and schedule the pre-hearing conference. A pre-hearing conference must be offered and if agreed scheduled to beheld as soon as practicable and at a time convenient to the requestor.

If the Eligibility and Benefits Staff are unable to speak with the requestor they will leave a message with a date and time for