12 Fair Hearings,2605(b)(13) - Assurance 13

12.1 How many fair hearings did the Grant recipient have in the prior federal Fiscal Year? 0 12.2 How many of those fair hearings resulted in the initial decision being reversed? 0 12.3 Describe any policy and/or procedural changes made in the last federal Fiscal Year as a result of fair hearings? We did not make any changes to policy and/or procedural as a result of a fair hearing. 12.4 Describe your fair hearing procedures for households whose applications are denied and/or not acted upon in a timely manner. Households determined ineligible are notified by letter by the Community Action Agency (subrecipient) where they applied. In the denial letter, they are given the reason their household is ineligible and information explaining the Appeals process, including a form to appeal. To request an appeal hearing, the applicant must submit the form within fifteen business days of the receipt of a denial letter. In addition, after it is determined that the applicant is to be denied the subrecipient checks their eligilbility for another heating assistance program (Good Neighbor Energy Fund) and notifies them if they are eligbile. If a denied applicant wishes to appeal, the applicant is offered a hearing with an impartial representative of the subrecipient. The applicant is allowed to bring representation and/or present oral or written evidence. The applicant has the right to review the case file. The subrecipient will communicate its decision regarding the appeal within five business days of the appeal hearing. If the applicant is not satisfied with the outcome of the appeal, the applicant has the right to a second Appeal with the Rhode Island Department of Human Services. 12.5 When and how are applicants informed of these rights? If a household is denied, they receive a denial letter from the subrecipient where they applied. They are told the reason for their denial and provided detailed information about how to appeal along with an appeal form. If after the first appeal, the applicant is not satisfied with the outcome, they can request a second appeal with the Department of Human Services. They are sent this form with the denial letter. The form explains how to appeal. If any of the above questions require further explanation or clarification that could not be made in the fields provided, attach a document with said explanation here.