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EAP Policy Manual FFY23 Chapter 10 Incidents and Appeals Page 14 level formal appeals and updates as they occur. Commerce may request this information at any time. Stage 3: Commerce State Office Appeal Procedures An appeal to the Commerce State Office is the third stage in the appeals process. If the applicant is not satisfied with the Service Provider’s determination, they may submit a written appeal to the Commerce State Office. The applicant’s appeal must be submitted within 14 business days of receiving the Service Provider’s local level formal appeal decision. When the Commerce State Office receives an appeal Commerce will: • Notify the Service Provider and the Service Provider’s Commerce Program Performance Auditor that an appeal has been received. • Ask the Service Provider to forward copies of all applicable documents to Commerce, including, but not limited to: • Copy of EAP Application. • Copies of income and eligibility documentation. • Mechanical system audit, if applicable. • Energy audit, if applicable. • Copies of all pertinent appeal correspondence between the applicant and Service Provider. • Documentation of the Service Provider’s investigative process. • A copy of the Service Provider’s appeal decision. After receipt of the requested documents from the Service Provider, Commerce will: • Review the details relevant to the appeal. • Check compliance with the state energy assistance program plan, policies, procedures and statutes. • Respond in writing to the applicant within 14 business days of receipt of all appeal documents. • A summary of local level Service Provider actions. • Cite the State policies relevant to the appeal. • State the appeal decision and how the issue will be resolved, if applicable. • Include information on how to request the next stage of the appeal process. • Send the response using certified mail “Return Receipt Requested.”