1508 County Responsibilities on Hearing Requests

Upon receipt of a hearing request and during the hearing process the county must do the following: 1. Within 10 days of the request notify Food Assistance Division. Use form titled “Notification of Hearing Request” for this purpose. 2. Offer a conference with the household and/or its representative. 3. Upon request, make available without charge specific materials necessary for a household to prepare for a hearing. Note: When a non-household member or non-authorized representative requests a review of case information to determine whether a hearing should be requested, written permission of the household is required. 4. Upon request, assist the household in preparing for the hearing. 5. Advise the household of the availability of legal services. 6. Advise Food Assistance Division of the need of an expedited hearing process such as for migrant farm workers that plan to move prior to the normal time the decision would be reached. 7. Advise Food Assistance Division of changes, such as address of household, obtaining legal counsel, request for postponement or rescheduling of the hearing, and written withdrawals of the hearing request. 8. Review the case in question for agency compliance with policies and procedures. 9. Prepare the agency’s testimony, including copies of documents to be presented as evidence at the hearing.