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? 37 12.2 How many of those fair hearings resulted in the initial decision being reversed? 1 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 appeals process requires an applicant initially to appeal to the Subgrantee and offers the opportunity to appeal to the state of Massachusetts if the applicant is not satisfied with the decision issued by the Subgrantee. Appeals must be made to the LAA within 20 working days of the date of any notice of eligibility or ineligibility. Applicants can also generally request an appeal, on a form provided by the Subgrantee, if they have not been notified of their application status within forty-five (45) days of the date of application. Within 20 working days of receiving an appeal, the Subgrantee must generally: 1. Schedule a hearing if a hearing has been requested by the applicant or has been deemed necessary by the Subgrantee and send a notice to the applicant establishing the date, time and location of the hearing. 2. In all other cases, review and reconsider the applicant’s application, including the possibility of obtaining additional income or other documentation. In all cases, a decision is reached on the case and applicants are notified of the final decision in writing, along with notice of the applicant’s right to and procedures for appeal to the state of Massachusetts. Local appeals are accepted from November 1 through the fourth Friday in June. State Level Fair Hearing (Appeal) Process Appeals of a Subgrantee decision to the State are accepted from November 1 through the fourth Friday in August. Applicants must appeal in writing to the State within 20 working days of the date of the final Subgrantee decision that includes the notice of appeal rights. All applicant files and information pertinent to the appeal will be reviewed, and the applicant and the Subgrantee will be notified of the decision in writing within 20 working days of receipt of the complete applicant file. 12.5 When and how are applicants informed of these rights? Massachusetts requires all Applicants to be notified of their right to appeal specific Subgrantee decisions in the heating assistance/crisis assistance and energy conservation programs. Written notification of these rights must be given: 1. When the Applicant first applies for assistance; 2. When a Subgrantee provides an Applicant with a notice of either eligibility or ineligibility; 3. When a Subgrantee issues a final decision of denial on an appeal. 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.