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104.3 TANF MANUAL 7/19 Page 2

C. State Hearing Authority - A comprehensive term used to designate the State Agency decision- maker in appeal cases; as such, it includes the Commissioner and duly qualified hearing officers of the Virginia Department of Social Services, in whom the Commissioner has reposed full authority to make binding decisions in appeal cases in the name of the State Hearing Authority.

D. Hearing Officer - An impartial representative of the State Agency to whom appeals are duly assigned and by whom they are heard. He must not have been involved in any way with the agency action on appeal. The hearing officer is empowered with the authority specified herein to conduct and control hearings and to decide appeal cases.

E. Hearings Manager - An individual who determines, promulgates and assures compliance with internal procedures, including processes for maintaining the Commissioner’s review of fair hearings, necessary for an effective State fair hearing system. This individual also provides supervision and training to hearing officers and can hold hearings and render decisions for the Commissioner of Social Services.

F. State Agency - This term, for purposes of this Chapter, refers to the Home Office and to the Regional Offices of the Virginia Department of Social Services. It is the responsibility of the State Agency to assure that appeal provisions are correctly administered, that decisions in appeal cases are consistent with established public assistance policies, and that such decisions are given prompt effect.

G. Date of Hearing Decision - The date of the letter conveying the hearing officer's decision. This date should be the same as the postmark. If it is not and the recipients of the letter can verify that it is different, applicable time frames will be extended.

TANF Transmittal 66