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? 0 12.2 How many of those fair hearings resulted in the initial decision being reversed? None 12.3 Describe any policy and/or procedural changes made in the last federal Fiscal Year as a result of fair hearings? No policies or procedures were changed as a result of fair hearings. 12.4 Describe your fair hearing procedures for households whose applications are denied and/or not acted upon in a timely manner. A denial for missing information will be rescinded if the required information is received by the Subgrantee within (15) fifteen business days from the written notification of denial. The Applicant may submit a written request for a Fair Hearing, but only in the following limited circumstances: the Applicant’s claim for assistance was denied or not acted upon with reasonable promptness; the Applicant disputes the criteria used to calculate the amount of their Benefit; or the Applicant is required to refund an Overpayment. Pursuant to the HEAP Act, 42 U.S.C. §8624(b)(13), MaineHousing will provide an Applicant an opportunity for a fair administrative hearing. Fair hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedures Act, Title 5, Chapter 375 by the Director of MaineHousing (or their designee) or such other contractor selected by MaineHousing. The parties may receive a transcript of the hearing upon payment of the reasonable cost for the production thereof. Within thirty (30) calendar days of the hearing's conclusion the hearing officer will prepare a recommended hearing decision. Copies of the recommended decision will be provided to the Applicant. A final decision and order will be made by the Director of MaineHousing in writing within sixty (60) calendar days of receipt of the hearing officer's recommendation. In the event the Director of MaineHousing presides over a hearing, they shall render their decision and order within sixty (60) calendar days of the hearing's conclusion or sixty (60) calendar days of the recommended decision. The Director's decision and order shall include findings of fact sufficient to apprise the parties of its basis. A copy of the decision and order will be provided promptly to each party to the proceeding or their representative of record. Written notice of the party's right to appeal the decision and other relevant information will be provided to the parties at the time of the decision and order. The decision and order will be implemented by the Subgrantee no later than ten (10) calendar days after receipt if it is in the Applicant’s favor and otherwise forty-five (45) calendar days unless stayed on appeal. 12.5 When and how are applicants informed of these rights? Applicants are notified of their fair hearing rights at the time of application. Fair hearing rights information is also provided to the applicant at the time of application, as part of the benefit notification, or as part of the denial notice. 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.