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● If the nature of the appeal is unclear, the agency should ask the customer for clarification.

● When necessary, the agency must provide an interpreter and explain the hearing procedure in a manner the customer can understand.

Submitting the Request for Appeal All appeals must be documented using the Request for Fair Hearing form. Within five (5) business days of the appeal request (whether written or verbally documented), the LAA must: 1. Forward the appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).

2. Send a copy to the State OHEP Office.

3. Submit the appeal request using OAH’s Transmittal for Department of Human Resources form, selecting Code 38 “Md Energy Assistance Program.”

OAH will issue a notice of hearing within three (3) business days and typically schedule the hearing within 15 to 30 days. Local Resolution Opportunity If an appeal is based on missing documentation, the LAA may attempt to resolve the matter through an informal, local review before forwarding it to OAH. If resolution is not achieved, the appeal must proceed to OAH. For appeals due to incomplete application information, the LAA may allow the applicant up to 30 days from the Denial Notice to submit the missing information. If resolved within that period, the application may be processed without an OAH hearing. If not, a new application must be submitted. Pre-Hearing Conference Before a formal OAH hearing: ● The local agency must contact the customer to schedule a pre-hearing conference to review the appeal details and attempt resolution.

Updated May 2025