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83 | P a g e October 25 REPRESENTATION: A claimant may be represented by legal counsel, or by a relative, friend, or other spokesman, or he may represent himself/herself. However, such representatives must have written authorization from the claimant to act in such capacity. VENDORS: A hospital, nursing home, physician, fuel, or other vendor may act in a representational capacity for a claimant at the discretion of the Hearing Officer. DEPARTMENT/SUB-GRANTEE EMPLOYEES: May not represent a claimant. CONTINUATION OF BENEFITS DURING APPEAL: 1. If a claimant requests a hearing within the period between the date of the notice and the date of the adverse action and the claimant is receiving benefits at that time, at the request of the claimant benefits shall be continued at the amount established just prior to the contested action until after a final hearing decision is rendered, except as provided under "REDUCTION OR TERMINATION OF ASSISTANCE" below. 2. If the claimant establishes that his or her failure to request a hearing within the notice period was for good cause, the local office shall reinstate the benefits to their prior level pending the hearing decision. 3. In any case where action is taken without timely notice and the applicant requests a hearing within ten (10) days of the mailing of the notice of the action, at the request of the claimant benefits shall be reinstated and continued until a hearing decision is rendered, unless the action resulted solely from an application of or change in state or federal law or policy. NOTICE TO CLAIMANT: The local eligibility unit shall notify the claimant via the CHIMES computer system notification letter. This notice shall also contain a statement that if the hearing decision is averse to a claimant, he/she will be asked to repay any assistance to which he/she was not entitled. REDUCTION OR TERMINATION OF ASSISTANCE: Once continued or reinstated, benefits may not be reduced or terminated prior to a final hearing decision unless: 1. The certification or grant period expires, although the claimant may reapply and may be determined eligible for benefits. 2. A change affecting the claimant's benefit occurs while the hearing is pending, and a hearing is not requested after the notice of adverse action resulting from this change. 3. The Hearing Officer makes a preliminary determination, in writing and at the hearing, that the sole issue is one of state or federal law or policy and no issue of improper benefit calculation, or misapplication or misinterpretation of state or federal law or policy exists; or