Page 69

pg. 64 FAIR HEARINGS All LIHEAP applicants are entitled to request a hearing regarding the decision made on their application for services. LIHEAP applicants can request a hearing for two reasons:  Denial  Timeliness EA applicants will be notified of their hearing rights via the EA-6. ECIP applicants will be notified of their hearing rights in writing on their approval- denial letter from the agency. Written notification concerning hearing rights is required by the DSS, DLS AHU. Hearing Requests Follow the blow criteria for acceptance of hearing requests:  May be requested in person, in writing, telephone, or fax.  Must be requested within ninety (90) calendar days from the date of the EA- 6 or the approval-denial letter from the agency.  Can be requested by the applicant, an authorized representative, friend, relative, or legal representative.  Can only be denied by the Hearing Officer from DLS. When an agency accepts an application and then denies LIHEAP benefits, the applicant must be granted a hearing if one is requested. In the situation where the applicant is placed on a waiting list after the end of the season (May 31st), where no application was completed, it is not necessary to grant a hearing even if one is requested. Hearing Process When a hearing request is received, the agency will assist the household in completing the Application for State Hearing (IM-87) when assistance is needed. Within one (1) working day of receiving a hearing request, the agency will e-mail LIHEAP staff requesting a copy of the corresponding EA-6. In turn, LIHEAP staff will contact ITSD via e-mail requesting the corresponding EA-6. While waiting to receive the EA-6, the agency will compile (1) original hearing packet. Each hearing packet must include:  IM-87 signed by the agency LIHEAP supervisor.  The agency must include the email of the agency contact person on the IM-87 so DLS can email any necessary information about the hearing, such as the hearing notice.  Copy of the E1CN screen which provides a summary of the supporting facts. The summary must include the date of application, date of approval-