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MS 0440 (1) Volume 1 - General Administration MS 0440 - R. 7/1/25 - OMTL-674 Administrative Hearing Overview [Any applicant or recipient of any type of assistance from the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) has the right to request a hearing before an impartial hearing officer, if dissatisfied with an action or inaction on the part of the Department that adversely affects their case. A. At the time of application and at the time of any adverse action affecting their status with the Department, inform the individual in writing of the right to discuss the situation with a worker and/or to request a hearing. Such information is included on various Agency forms mailed or given to the individual. In addition, applicants are provided the pamphlet, PAM-PAFS-326, Division of Family Support Administrative Hearing Procedures.] B. The hearing process consists of: 1. The request; 2. Preparation for and scheduling of the hearing; 3. The hearing itself; 4. Review of the recommended order; and 5. The final order. Additional recourse for the recipient following an adverse hearing decision is available through appeal to the Cabinet Secretary/Secretary’s Designee or Judicial review. C. For SNAP: 1. [An Agency Conference is offered to households adversely affected by an agency action. The household is advised that an agency conference is optional and in no way delays or replaces the fair hearing process. The worker, supervisor, and the household member and/or representative attend the agency conference. An agency conference may lead to an informal resolution of the dispute. However, a Fair Hearing must still be held unless the household makes a written or verbal withdrawal. If a written withdrawal is received by DCBS, the Agency needs to scan this document into the Hearings Module as “Letter – Withdrawing”. After this is complete, the Agency must also select the “Postponement/Withdrawal Request” button and complete the request. If the individual requests a withdrawal verbally, complete a withdrawal request via the Hearings Module by selecting the “Postponement/Withdrawal Request” button. Form PAFS-277, Hearing Withdrawal Confirmation Notice, will auto- populate and be mailed to the individual via the mail center. Form PAFS 277 is to be scanned into the Hearings Module as it is part of the official hearings record.