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? 0 12.2 How many of those fair hearings resulted in the initial decision being reversed? 0 12.3 Describe any policy and/or procedural changes made in the last federal Fiscal Year as a result of fair hearings? N/A 12.4 Describe your fair hearing procedures for households whose applications are denied and/or not acted upon in a timely manner. The household is given an eligibility determination notice upon completion of their application. LIHEAP participants and applicants have the right to request an administrative appeal or fair hearing if they disagree with the Department’s decision. The participant's appeal rights are included on the eligibility determination notice and on the formal 'Notice of Denial' letter. If the participant feels they were wrongly denied services, the direct service provider holds a conference with the participant in attempt to resolve the issue. If the matter cannot be resolved, the direct service provider assists the household with completing the appeal form and submits the appeal request to the Department of Health and Welfare's Fair Hearing Unit. Standard fair hearing procedure: Appeal requests must be received within 30 days of the date of decision. The customer may complete the Fair Hearing Request form, submit a written request including their name, address, phone number and the issue they are contesting, or verbally request an appeal by calling the Department. Once a fair hearing request is received, the Fair Hearing Unit contacts the customer to discuss the basis of the hearing, address the customer’s concerns and clarify the action taken by the Department. If the contested issues is adequately addressed, the customer may elect to withdraw his/her appeal request. If the issue cannot be resolved, the appeal is scheduled with the hearing officer for a telephonic hearing. The hearing officer will mail or email a Notice of Scheduled Hearing to the customer and Department representative including the date, time and instructions for calling into the hearing. Once the hearing has taken place the hearing officer has 14 days to issue a preliminary order of decision, which is sent to the Department and the customer. If the individual does not agree with the hearing officer’s decision, he or she has an opportunity to appeal the decision by filing a Petition for Review which is managed by the Administrative Procedures Section. Instructions and timeframes for requesting a Petition for Review are included in the preliminary order of decision. 12.5 When and how are applicants informed of these rights? This information is on the front page of LIHEAP application and the household is given an eligibility notice upon completion of their application. The participant's appeal rights are included on the eligibility notice and on the 'Notice of Denial.' The language aligns with other programs (SNAP, TAFI, etc.) 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.