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? See notes below 12.2 How many of those fair hearings resulted in the initial decision being reversed? See notes below 12.3 Describe any policy and/or procedural changes made in the last federal Fiscal Year as a result of fair hearings? Crisis assistance: There were 62 SER energy related hearings recorded for FY24 and 39 for FY25 (10/1/2024-7/6/2025). Resulting in 36 affirmed and 26 reversals for FY24, 28 affirmed, 11 reversals for FY25, respectively. No policy or procedural changes were made due to reversals. Reversals resulted from common system or worker errors in processing in which the SER application was reprocessed. Heating assistance: There were 117 informal conference requests for denials or partial denials of the Home Heating Credit for FY2024 (10/1/2023 - 9/30/2024): 81 dockets went to an informal conference and 36 resulted in a withdrawal from the informal conference process. Of the 81 dockets that went to an informal conference, 11 resulted in the full credit claim being granted, 29 resulted in a partial credit being granted, and 41 upheld the credit denial. Of the 36 withdrawals, 14 resulted in the full credit claim being granted, 17 resulted in a partial credit being granted, and 5 upheld the credit denial. Note: Typically, withdrawals occur when the Department of Treasury has reviewed additional information provided by the claimant with their request for informal conference. If the Department is able to grant the full credit claimed or even a partial credit, the Department notifies the claimant and gives them an opportunity to withdraw from the conference or to proceed with the conference to have the Hearing Referee hear their case. The Decision of the Department's Hearings Division also provides further appeal rights to the Tax Tribunal or Court of Claims if the claimant disagrees with the any part of the decision. This year the 3 withdrawals were not based on a reversal of HHC denial but were instead withdrawn based on other matters that were resolved. Weatherization - none No changes were made 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. Each SER application and Decision Notice informs the applicant of their right to contest a department decision affecting eligibility or benefit levels whenever they believe the decision is incorrect. The department provides an administrative hearing to review the decision and determine its appropriateness. The applicant, or their representative, has 90 calendar days from the date of the written notice of case action to request a hearing. The request must be received in the local office within the 90 days. Home Heating Credit will have the HHC booklet and application updated for FY26 to include hearing language to applicants to advise them of their right to file a hearing or appeal to the decision of HHC elgibility, denial or benefit level change. Applicants are provided with a fair hearing which will be conducted by the Michigan Department of Treasury. Instructions regarding an HHC Adjustment or Denial can be found at the following link, 2021_715987.pdf (michigan.gov). HHC booklet and application is not available until January 1, 2026, therefore not included in the initial draft to the State Plan. 12.5 When and how are applicants informed of these rights? The application forms and determination notices inform clients of their right to a hearing. These include an explanation of how and where to file a hearing request, and the right to representation. 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.