Right to Appeal and Fair Hearing 415-05-20

(Revised 10/1/16 ML #3478)

 

 

If a household believes the decision made on their Heating Assistance or Emergency Assistance application may be wrong, or if they do not receive a written notice of the action taken on your Heating Assistance application within 45 days from the date their application is received, they should first contact their Human Service Zone (HSZ) to be sure they have all the information they need to correctly determine your eligibility.

If the household still believes the decision is wrong for some reason, they have the right to request a fair hearing in writing before the North Dakota Department of Human Services.

Contact the Human Service Zone (HSZ) office for instructions on how to request a hearing.  The household’s written request for a hearing must be received within 30 days of the date on the notice of action.  The household can have an attorney, relative, friend or other person assist them at the hearing.  

If a household’s hearing request is received within that time, their benefits will not be changed until a decision is reached.  However, the household will be required to pay back any excess benefits received if the appeal is not successful.

A hearing officer will contact the household to arrange a hearing time and place that is convenient for them.

The household will receive a written decision from the North Dakota Department of Human Services.