12 Fair Hearings,2605(b)(13) - Assurance 13

12.1 How many fair hearings did the Grant recipient have in the prior federal Fiscal Year? During FY25, LI 12.2 How many of those fair hearings resulted in the initial decision being reversed? None. 12.3 Describe any policy and/or procedural changes made in the last federal Fiscal Year as a result of fair hearings? All of the fair hearings were dismissed by the Office of Administrative Hearings in DOEE's favor (i.e., none reversed DOEE's benefit determination). 12.4 Describe your fair hearing procedures for households whose applications are denied and/or not acted upon in a timely manner. The District of Columbia’s independent Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) conducts hearings and resolves cases involving various programs administered by District agencies, including decisions concerning DOEE’s LIHEAP non-entitlement benefit. See, generally, the District of Columbia’s Municipal Regulations, 1 DCMR §§ 2970-78. An applicant who is dissatisfied with a DOEE LIHEAP decision, including the denial of an application for a benefit, may follow the cited administrative appeal procedures. 1 DCMR § 2971-78. An independent OAH administrative law judge issues a written decision for every case that is contested. 12.5 When and how are applicants informed of these rights? Every applicant for LIHEAP assistance receives at the conclusion of the intake and the processing of their application: (a) a letter confirming the decision, (b) a printout of the database information on which the decision was based, and (c) information on the benefit matrix used to determine level with a user key, and how to contact the Office of Administrative Hearings to file an appeal if the applicant is dissatisfied with the decision. (See attached.) If the application was made at a DOEE office, these materials are provided to the applicant in person. If the application was taken at a home, as with a disabled or an elderly and frail person, DOEE provides the materials to the applicant promptly after the application is made. If the application was completed online or via the mail or fax, materials (a) and (c) are available online and the applicant may request item (b) by calling the District’s unified call center at 3-1-1. If any of the above questions require further explanation or clarification that could not be made in the fields provided, attach a document with said explanation here.