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SNAP CERTIFICATION MANUAL – SECTION 16000 16700 Administrative Disqualification Hearings 16703 Consolidation of Hearings

16703 Consolidation of Hearings SNAP Manual 12/01/00 Administrative disqualification hearings may be combined with other hearings if the factual issues arise out of the same or related circumstances and the household receives proper notice that the hearings will be combined. If hearings are combined, the time frames for conducting administrative disqualification hearings will be followed unless the household waives the 30-day advance notice requirement.

16704 Responsibility for Conducting Hearings SNAP Manual 12/01/00 The Office of Appeals and Hearings conducts administrative disqualification hearings and determines if intentional program violations have occurred. A hearing officer who does not have personal interest or involvement in the case will conduct administrative disqualification hearings. The same hearing officers who conduct administrative hearings will also conduct disqualification hearings and will be subject to the same requirements.

16710 How a Disqualification Hearing Is Initiated SNAP Manual 12/01/00 Either the Overpayment Unit or the Fraud Investigation Section may initiate an administrative disqualification hearing. Each procedure is described below.

16711 Referral by the Overpayment Unit SNAP Manual 12/01/00 The DHS county office must have sufficient documentation to present at an administrative disqualification hearing before the case is referred to the Overpayment Unit as a suspected IPV. The Overpayment Unit will determine if the case is to be referred to the Fraud Section for possible prosecution, referred for an administrative disqualification hearing, or referred for non- fraud collection. If a hearing is requested, a copy of the request will be sent to the county office.