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SNAP CERTIFICATION MANUAL – SECTION 16000 16500 The Administrative Hearing Process 16523 Notification of the Hearing

In all group hearings, the policies governing individual hearings must be followed. Each individual household will be permitted to present its case or have the case presented by a representative.

16523 Notification of the Hearing SNAP Manual 12/01/00 The Office of Appeals and Hearings will provide written notice to all parties involved at least ten days prior to the hearing to allow for adequate preparation of the case. The notice will contain the name, address and telephone number of the office to notify if the household will not be able to attend the scheduled hearing. The notice will also contain a statement that the Office of Appeals and Hearings will dismiss the hearing request if the household or designated representative fails to appear for the hearing without good cause and any additional information that will provide the household with an understanding of the proceedings and will contribute to the effective presentation of the household’s case.  NOTE: The household may waive, in writing, the 10-day advance notice requirement in order to expedite the hearing process.

16524 Postponement of the Hearing SNAP Manual 12/01/00 The household is entitled to receive a postponement of a scheduled hearing upon request. The postponement will not exceed 30 days. The time limit for action on the decision will be extended for as many days as the hearing is postponed. EXAMPLE: If the household postpones a hearing for 10 days, the final action will be required within 70 days of the date of the request for the hearing. The hearing officer may postpone a hearing when, in his or her judgment, a postponement is warranted. Upon the officer’s determination that a postponement is warranted, the hearing will be adjourned and rescheduled at a later time. The time frame for administrative hearing decisions will be extended by the number of days between the original hearing and the rescheduled hearing.