Request for hearing.

Any applicant or recipient, or his or her representative may request a hearing by giving a clear expression, oral or written, that he or she wants an opportunity to present his or her case to a higher authority. A request for a hearing shall be accepted by any administrative staff member employed by the Mayor to whom the request is submitted. The Mayor shall acknowledge promptly any request for a hearing, and a representative of the Mayor shall assist the claimant in submitting and processing his request for hearing. The Mayor shall treat a request made by a representative of the claimant as if made by the claimant; provided, that the claimant shall submit written authorization within 10 days of such request designating that person as his or her representative.