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TANF STATE PLAN STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Page 16 Effective Date: January 1, 2017 language interpreter may use their own interpreter or one provided by MDHHS. MDHHS will pay for the cost of providing an interpreter. 3. Nondiscrimination Discrimination based on age, race, disability, gender, color, national origin or religious beliefs is prohibited. 4. Determining Eligibility Local offices determine eligibility following policies promulgated by MDHHS. The local office must determine the family’s eligibility within 45 days from the date of application. Clients must be informed of the decision in writing. If assistance is denied, the notice must explain the reason for denial. 5. Initial Benefits Provided the family meets all FIP eligibility requirements, assistance must begin no earlier than the pay period in which the application becomes 30 days old. If the application becomes 30 days old and the group has not met all FIP eligibility requirements, assistance begins for the first pay period when the family meets eligibility requirements. Pay periods are semi-monthly periods, from the first through the fifteenth of the month and the sixteenth through the last day of the month. 6. Administrative Hearings Applicants and recipients have the right to an administrative hearing to contest a denial of their application or adverse actions affecting their eligibility or the amount of benefits. The application form and written notices of case actions inform clients of their hearing rights.

A hearing request must be in writing and signed by the client or the client’s authorized representative. The request must be made within 90 days from the date of the written notice of case action and requested by the client. In order to maintain or restore assistance, the MDHHS must receive a request within 10 days of the notice of case action. The client is not entitled to assistance pending the hearing when the action is a denial at application.

Final action on hearing requests, including implementation of a decision and order of the Administrative Law Judge, must be completed within 90 days from the date of the hearing request. However, the client has the right to appeal a final decision to circuit court within 30 days after that decision is received. The 90 day implementation period is waived only if the circuit court grants an order to stay the implementation.

MDHHS and Michigan Administrative Hearings System maintain joint authority over the Administrative Law Judges.