006.04(A) AGENCY CONFERENCES.

The Department will offer agency conferences to households that wish to contest a denial of expedited service or to households affected by an agency action. Use of an agency conference is optional to the household and will in no way delay or replace the fair hearing process. The conference may be attended by the Department and will be attended by the supervisor or local administrator, and the household, its representative, or both. The conference may lead to an informal resolution of the dispute. However, a fair hearing will still be held unless the household makes a written withdrawal of its request. Agency conferences for households contesting a denial of expedited service will be scheduled within two working days unless the household requests otherwise.