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? 3 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? Enhanced the definition of dwelling 12.4 Describe your fair hearing procedures for households whose applications are denied and/or not acted upon in a timely manner. An applicant will be provided with the opportunity to request a fair hearing if: 1. They have applied for, received, or have been denied benefits. 2. They request a hearing within 30 calendar days of receiving the contractor's notice of approval or denial (COMMERCE will have 30 working days to respond to the claimant after receiving of a fair hearing request); AND 3. They have completed the Household Information Form. COMMERCE will assign a Hearings Officer (usually the contractor's assigned EAP Contract Manager) to receive a request for a fair hearing. The Hearings Officer will contact the contractor for the client file associated with the fair hearing request. 1. COMMERCE will respond to claimants within 30 working days of receiving a fair hearing request. Timeline changes will be noted in the COMMERCE hearing file. 2. Hearings will be conducted by telephone and if applicable by mail or electronic mail. 3. A written decision will be mailed to the claimant and the contractor within ten working days of the hearing. 12.5 When and how are applicants informed of these rights? Applicants are notified of their right to request a fair hearing during their intake appointment interview and in writing on their LIHEAP Household Information Form (HIF), which is signed by each primary applicant of the household to complete their application and the intake process. 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.