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Administrative hearings are held in the county where the appeal originated, typically these hearings are held virtually. If in-person, hearings will be held at an Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) designated location. The LAA is responsible for presenting its case first. At the start of the hearing, the agency should identify the hearing packet and formally request that it be admitted into evidence. Following the agency’s presentation of the facts, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will provide the applicant or their representative an opportunity to cross-examine the LAA representative. The agency may then respond to any matters raised during the cross-examination, call witnesses, or request the admission of additional documents into evidence. Once the LAA’s case is presented, the applicant will be given the opportunity to present their side of the case. The agency may cross-examine the applicant if it chooses. After both parties have completed their testimony, the ALJ will allow each side to make a closing statement. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the ALJ will issue a written decision to the local agency, the applicant, and the applicant’s representative. While decisions are generally rendered within sixty (60) days, it may take up to ninety (90) days from the date the household was notified of the hearing to receive the final decision. Once the decision is received, the LAA must forward a copy to the State OHEP Quality Assurance Analyst for recordkeeping and place a copy in the applicant’s case file. Customers Rights to Appeal An applicant may request a fair hearing when a Local Administering Agency (LAA) takes any of the following actions: 1. Denies, either in full or in part, an application for assistance.

2. Fails to act with reasonable promptness on an application or a request for adjustment of assistance.

3. Suspends, reduces, or terminates assistance.

4. Makes a decision affecting a plan of service to a recipient.

Updated May 2025