| (a) The agency must: (1) accept a request for a fair hearing submitted within 90 days from the date on the notice of agency action, or, under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, at any time during the SNAP certification period; (2) notify the HHSC Appeals Division within five days of the date the client expresses a desire to appeal; and (3) allow the client to appeal more than one action at the same time. (b) The agency or the agency's representative or designee must: (1) allow the appellant to review the appeal procedures in HHSC's policies; (2) provide to the hearings officer and the appellant, at no cost, copies of all documentation and evidence to be used in the fair hearing; (3) appear at the scheduled hearing; (4) be prepared to explain and defend the decision or action taken against the appellant; and (5) implement the hearings officer's final order within the time limit specified in the relevant federal regulation. |
