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2026 - 2027 I PY27 NH Fuel Assistance Program (FAP) Procedures Manual 42 Appeal and Fair Administrative Hearing Procedures

All Fuel Assistance Program (FAP) applicants who have been denied, who question the FAP benefits provided, and/or question the timely processing of their application are entitled to appeal the decision, which may include a Fair Administrative Hearing. All applicants/ will be provided with information regarding the appeal process and the FAP Fair Administrative Hearing Procedures (Attachment M). The CAA must provide written notification of either the denial of benefits or the benefit determination to all FAP applicants.

The written notification to FAP applicants who are denied benefits must include the following: • A brief statement of the reason(s) for denial of benefits • A brief explanation of the applicant’s right to appeal process • A brief explanation of the appeal and Fair Administrative Hearing process

An applicant is entitled to appeal the FAP benefit determination for any of the following reasons: • Application has been denied • Application was neither denied nor approved within 60 days of the application date during the period of time the program is open (typically Dec 1 – April 30) • Benefit amount is less than what the applicant believes should have been awarded • The benefit amount or the duration of the benefit is less than what the written CAA notification originally identified

A FAP applicant may appeal the determination of benefits by contacting the CAA FAP Director and requesting a review of the application within 30 days of receiving the determination letter. The CAA FAP Director must meet with the applicant in-person or via a virtual/phone meeting within 10 days of the applicant’s request for an appeal.

During the meeting between the applicant and the CAA FAP Director, the applicant will have an opportunity to express any concerns and the CAA FAP Director will have an opportunity to review and attempt to resolve the dispute. The CAA is responsible for documenting the results of the meeting. The documentation must contain information relative to the eligibility requirements or benefit determination.

If the applicant is not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, the CAA FAP Director must next refer the applicant to the NH DOE FAP Administrator for an additional review. The CAA FAP Director must communicate the history of the appeal, including the documentation of their meeting with the applicant. The NH DOE FAP Administrator must meet with the applicant in- person or via a virtual/phone meeting within 10 days of the applicant request for a second review of the application.