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? 1 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? None 12.4 Describe your fair hearing procedures for households whose applications are denied and/or not acted upon in a timely manner. The Department developed a system that provides an opportunity for a fair dispute resolution process to households whose claims for assistance under this Plan (including claims for weatherization assistance) are denied or are not acted upon within the prescribed timeliness set forth in 47 Ill. Admin Code 100.250(d), or if there’s a dispute regarding the amount or type of assistance provided.. The dispute resolution process includes three levels of review: The informal conference process conducted at the Local Administering Agency level; Review of the LAA decision at the State/Department's programmatic review level; and the formal administrative hearing through the Department's administrative hearing rules (56 Ill Admin Code 2605). - Informal Conference Review Process Any applicant receiving or denied energy assistance has a right to request an informal conference within thirty (30) days of receipt of a notice of a decision on the applicant’s application. The LAA shall designate a staff member who was not involved in the original decision as the hearing officer to conduct the informal conference which must be held within fifteen (15) calendar days of the receipt of request. The informal conference is designed to understand the action taken by the LAA or the reason for delay. At the end of the informal conference, the LAA will provide the claimant with a written statement describing the result of the conference and citing the policy reasons for the decision. A copy of the report must be filed in the applicant's file. In the event the claimant is not satisfied with the informal conference determination, the claimant may request a review at the Department's programmatic level by submitting a Request for State Review in writing with the Department within thirty (30) days after the informal conference determination citing the specific LAA at which the household applied for assistance, informal conference date and decision, and the reasons for requesting state review. All informal conference determination will contain Request for State Review attached to the determination. - State/Department Programmatic Level Review (State Review) If claimant’s written request is timely filed within thirty (30) days, the Department shall designate a staff member as the “State Reviewing Officer” to conduct the programmatic level review. During this process, the State Reviewing Officer will review the claimant's file and the informal conference report. After review, the Department will issue a written determination that will be sent to the claimant and LAA within fifteen (15) days from the date of the request for State review. If the claimant is not satisfied with the State’s determination, he/she will have thirty (30) days to submit a written request for a formal hearing citing the specific LAA at which the household applied for assistance, informal conference date, state review decision and date, and the reasons for requesting a formal hearing to the Department. - Formal Administrative Hearing If claimant’s written request is timely filed within thirty (30) days, the Department will follow the applicable hearing rules set forth in the Illinois Administrative Procedures Act (5 ILCS 100/ et al) and corresponding Administrative Rules at 56 Ill. Admin. Code 2605 12.5 When and how are applicants informed of these rights? Applicants are informed verbally and also receive a handout of their appeal rights at the time of application. In addition, posters are placed in all intake sites as an additional form of notice of fair hearing rights. Appeal Rights are also available on the Department's website, and on the Customer Inquiry webservice that customers may visit to check the status of their application. 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.