Ariz. Admin. Code § R6-14-405 - Hearings: Location; Notice; Time

A. The Office of Appeals shall schedule the hearing. The Office of Appeals may schedule a telephonic hearing instead of an in-person hearing or permit a witness or party, upon request, to appear telephonically.

B. Unless the appellant requests an earlier hearing date, the Office of Appeals shall schedule the hearing no earlier than 20 days from the date the Department receives the appellant's request for hearing.

C. The Office of Appeals shall send a notice of hearing to all parties at least 20 days before the hearing date, unless a request for an earlier hearing date is granted under subsection (B).

D. The notice of hearing shall be in writing and shall:

1. Include information on how to request an in-person hearing;

2. Advise the appellant or the appellant's representative of the name, address, and phone number to notify the Office of Appeals in the event it is not possible for the appellant to attend the hearing;

3. Specify that the Office of Appeals will dismiss the hearing request if the appellant or the appellant's representative fails to appear for the hearing without good cause;

4. Include the Office of Appeals hearing procedures and any other information that would provide the appellant with an understanding of the proceedings and that would contribute to the effective presentation of the appellant's case; which shall include a pre-hearing summary prepared by the Department, and

5. Explain that the appellant or the appellant's representative shall be given adequate opportunity to:

a. Examine the case file prior to the hearing. The contents of the case file including the application form and documents of verification used by the Department to establish the household's ineligibility or eligibility and allotment shall be made available, provided that confidential information, such as the names of individuals who have disclosed information about the household without its knowledge or the nature or status of pending criminal prosecutions, is protected from release. If requested by the household or its representative, the Department shall provide a free copy of the portions of the case file that are relevant to the hearing. Confidential information that is protected from release and other documents or records which the household will not otherwise have an opportunity to contest or challenge shall not be introduced at the hearing or affect the hearing official's decision.

b. Present the case or have it presented by legal counsel or another person.

c. Bring witnesses.

d. Advance arguments without undue interference.

e. Question or refute any testimony or evidence, including an opportunity to confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses.

f. Submit evidence to establish all pertinent facts and circumstances in the case.

6. The notice shall include information about the availability of free legal services.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R6-14-405

New Section made by emergency rulemaking at 24 A.A.R. 2081, effective July 6, 2018 for for 180 days (Supp. 18-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 26 A.A.R. 263, effective 1/21/2020.