33 V.S.A. § 2215: Notice; appeals; right to fair hearing

(a) The Office or a community partner shall provide written notice to any applicant or household whose participation in the Program is denied, reduced, suspended, or terminated. Notice shall include:

(1) the specific factual and legal basis for the Office or community partner’s decision;

(2) the effective date of the action, which in the case of termination, reduction, or suspension of services shall provide timely written notice by email or U.S. mail;

(3) a statement of the right to request a fair hearing pursuant to this section; and

(4) clear instructions, in plain language, on the process and deadlines for filing an appeal.

(b) An applicant for or a recipient of assistance pursuant to this chapter may file a request for a fair hearing with the Human Services Board pursuant to 3 V.S.A. § 3091 when:

(1) an application for assistance under the Program is denied in whole or part;

(2) a household’s benefits are terminated, reduced, or suspended; or

(3) the household believes that benefits have not been provided in accordance with applicable rules or policies.

(c) An applicant or household shall file a request for a fair hearing with the Human Services Board within 60 days after the date of the written notice pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.

(d) If a household files a request for a fair hearing within 14 days after receiving notice pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Office or community partner providing notice shall continue to provide services under the Program without interruption until a decision is issued by the Human Services Board, unless:

(1) the household voluntarily waives continued services; or

(2) a household or household member’s continued receipt of services poses a risk of safety to others.

(e) Fair hearings held pursuant to this section shall be conducted in accordance with 3 V.S.A. §§ 3090–3091.