150 Assistance from the Department

In response to a client request, the Department shall: (A) assist the household in filing an appeal. If a household makes an oral request for a hearing, the case manager will provide the household with an appeal form and help completing the form, if requested; (B) advise the household of any available legal services which can provide representation at the hearing; (C) make available a free copy of materials necessary for a household or its representative to determine whether to file an appeal or to prepare for the hearing; (D) provide an interpreter to explain the hearing procedures. This includes explaining the right to an interpreter at the hearing, the procedures for requesting an interpreter. The Department is required to provide bilingual staff or interpreters in accordance with FNS regulations; (E) provide an interpreter at the hearing for an appellant who is not fluent in English if the appellant requests an interpreter at least one week before the hearing is scheduled or rescheduled; and (F) provide any interested party with a copy of the rules of procedures governing Fair Hearings.