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Vermont Department for Children and Families Crisis Fuel Assistance Rules Economic Services Division 3112 p.3 Crisis Fuel Notice and Appeal Rights

9. The Director’s or designee’s written decision must inform the Appellant of:

i. The Department’s endorsement if the Director or designee upholds the denial of crisis fuel benefits; and

ii. The right to appeal a decision to the Human Services Board, including how and when to request a fair hearing with the Board.

10. If the Director does not hold a review or issue a written decision within two business days of an Appellant’s request for a Director’s review, the Appellant must inform the Department within two business days of an Appellant’s request for a Director’s review.

d. If the Appellant does not agree with the Director’s or designee’s decision, the Appellant must request a hearing with the Human Services Board within 90 calendar days of the Director’s or designee’s decision.

1. The Appellant must follow all the requirements of this rule 3112, including all applicable deadlines, before submitting a request for a fair hearing to the Human Services Board.

2. If an Appellant communicates to the Department or the Community Action Agency that the Appellant wishes to appeal a Director’s or designee’s decision, the Department or Agency must immediately notify the Human Services Board of the Appellant’s request for a fair hearing, regardless of whether the Appellant has followed all requirements stated in these rules.

i. The Human Services Board must determine whether the Appellant exhausted administrative remedies before the Appellant requested a fair hearing.