Chapter HA 3

HA 3.02(18) (18) “Social services” means services,other than under local county-funded programs, which are provided by agencies or the departments to individuals, or paid for by agencies or the departments on behalf of individuals, such as, but not limited to, the Alzheimer’s family and caregiver support program under s. 46.87, Stats., or the family support program under s. 46.985, Stats.

HA 3.02 Note Note: Section 46.985, Stats., was repealed by 2015 Wis. Act 55.

HA 3.02(19) (19) “Wisconsin works” or “W-2” means the assistance program for families with dependent children, administered under ss. 49.141 to 49.161, Stats.

HA 3.02 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1999, No. 527, eff. 12-1-99; corrections in (5), (10) to (12), (17) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6. and 7., Stats., Register February 2013 No. 686; correction made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register October 2018 No. 754.

HA 3.03 HA 3.03 Right to appeal.

HA 3.03(1) (1) Any person applying for or receiving medicaid, food stamps, social services or public assistance may appeal any of the following administrative actions of the department or an agency:

HA 3.03(1)(a) (a) Denial of an application for benefits or the overt denial of the right to apply.

HA 3.03(1)(b) (b) Failure to act on an application with reasonable promptness.

HA 3.03(1)(c) (c) Reduction, suspension or termination of program benefits.

HA 3.03(1)(d) (d) The determination of the amount, sufficiency, initial eligibility date of program benefits excluding COP program benefits.

HA 3.03(1)(e) (e) A change in the form of payment of benefits.

HA 3.03(1)(f) (f) For the COP program and medicaid waiver services, the denial of eligibility for services or reduction or termination of services as provided in s. 46.27 (7m), Stats.

HA 3.03(1)(g) (g) A determination with regard to the preadmission screening and annual resident review requirements of section 1919(e)(7) of the Social Security Act of 1935, as amended.

HA 3.03(1)(h) (h) A decision to transfer or discharge a resident from a facility subject to the requirements of 42 CFR 483.12.

HA 3.03(1)(i) (i) A denial or termination of eligibility for medicaid under the Katie Beckett waiver program under section 1902(e)(3) of the Social Security Act.

HA 3.03(1)(j) (j) A decision to impose a medicaid lien or to deny a hardship waiver under s. 49.496, Stats.

HA 3.03(1)(k) (k) Any other decision or action affecting a medicaid applicant or enrollee where a hearing is required by law.

HA 3.03(1)(L) (L) A decision to deny a hardship waiver under s. 49.682 (5), Stats., with regard to the recovery of benefits under a chronic disease program.

HA 3.03(1)(m) (m) The determination under s. 49.85, Stats., to recover an overpayment of benefits by means of certification to the Wisconsin department of revenue and the determination of the amount of such an overpayment as including an amount they believe has already been repaid or discharged in bankruptcy.

HA 3.03(1)(n) (n) A denial of an application for kinship care payment on the grounds specified in s. 48.57 (3m) (am) 1., 2., 4., 4m. and 5., Stats., or the termination of kinship care payments.

HA 3.03(1)(o) (o) Removal of a child or any other decision or order by an agency or department that affects the head of a foster, treatment foster or group home or the children involved, per s. 48.64 (4), Stats.

HA 3.03(2) (2) An applicant for or recipient of medicaid may appeal a decision or order of a managed care entity which denies, reduces, terminates or otherwise limits services, which denies an enrollee’s request for disenrollment or exemption from the entity or which otherwise adversely affects the individual.

HA 3.03(3) (3) A former recipient of medicaid, food stamps, aid to families with dependent children or W-2 may appeal the determination that he or she has been overpaid benefits, the amount of such an overpayment still owing or whether it has been discharged in bankruptcy or the determination under s. 49.85, Stats., to recover such an overpayment by means of certification to the Wisconsin department of revenue.

HA 3.03(4) (4) An applicant, recipient or former recipient may appeal any other adverse action or decision by an agency or department which affects their public assistance or social services benefits where a hearing is required by state or federal law or department policy.

HA 3.03 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1999, No. 527, eff. 12-1-99.

HA 3.04 HA 3.04 Notification of right to appeal. An agency or department shall in writing inform a person at the time the person applies for medicaid, food stamps, public assistance or social services, and at the time an agency takes an action listed under s. HA 3.03, of the person’s right to a hearing under this chapter and of procedures for requesting a hearing as set forth in s. HA 3.05.

HA 3.04 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1999, No. 527, eff. 12-1-99.

HA 3.05 HA 3.05 Request for a hearing.

HA 3.05(1) (1) An applicant or recipient who wishes to contest an action specified under s. HA 3.03 may request a hearing.

HA 3.05(2) (2) A request for a hearing may be made by the applicant, recipient or former recipient, by an immediate family member, or someone with legal authority to act on their behalf. The division in its discretion may require written authorization of such representation in an individual case or a type of case.

HA 3.05(2)(a) (a) A request for a hearing may be made in writing or orally and may be made to the agency or the division. An oral request to the agency shall be reduced to writing by the agency and signed by the petitioner, except that a request involving only food stamps need not be signed. An agency receiving a hearing request shall immediately date-stamp the request and forward it to the division.

HA 3.05(2)(b) (b) The hearing request shall include a short statement of the matter to be reviewed. If it is unclear from the request what action the person seeks to appeal or whether the petitioner has standing to obtain a hearing, the division may request clarification before taking action on the request.

HA 3.05 Note Note: A hearing request should be addressed to the Division of Hearings and Appeals, P.O. Box 7875, Madison, Wisconsin 53707. Appeals may be delivered in person to that office at 5005 University Avenue, Room 201, Madison, Wisconsin.

HA 3.05(3) (3) Except as provided in par. (a) or (b), the petitioner shall have 45 days from the effective date of the adverse action specified under s. HA 3.03 in which to file a hearing request.

HA 3.05(3)(a) (a) For a hearing request relating to food stamps, the petitioner has 90 days from the date of the action specified under s. HA 3.03 in which to file the hearing request.

HA 3.05(3)(b) (b) If a different time limit for a hearing request is specified by state statute, administrative rule or federal regulation, that limit shall apply and shall be stated in the notification of Right to Appeal in the decision.

HA 3.05(3)(c) (c) A hearing request shall be considered filed on the date of actual receipt by the division or agency, or the date of the postmark, whichever is earlier. A request filed by facsimile is complete upon transmission. If the request is filed by facsimile transmission and such transmission is completed between 5 p. m. and midnight, 1 day shall be added to the prescribed period.

HA 3.05(4) (4) The division shall deny or dismiss a hearing request under any of the following circumstances:

HA 3.05(4)(a) (a) The division does not have jurisdiction to conduct a hearing on the matter appealed.

HA 3.05(4)(b) (b) The petitioner or the petitioner’s representative withdraws the request in writing.

HA 3.05(4)(c) (c) The sole issue is one of state or federal law requiring automatic grant adjustments for classes of recipients, unless the issue being contested is that eligibility or benefits were improperly computed or that federal law or regulation is being misapplied or misinterpreted by the department.

HA 3.05(4)(d) (d) The petitioner has abandoned the hearing request. The division shall determine that abandonment has occurred when the petitioner, without good cause, fails to appear personally or by representative at the time and place set for the hearing. Abandonment may also be deemed to have occurred when the petitioner or the authorized representative fails to respond within a reasonable time to correspondence from the division regarding the hearing.

HA 3.05(4)(e) (e) The hearing request is not received within the time period specified in sub. (3).

HA 3.05(5) (5) In cases involving discontinuance, reduction, suspension of assistance or benefits or change in the form of payment of assistance, the division shall order that the adverse action be stayed and benefits continued unchanged pending the hearing decision if the hearing request was filed within the time limits specified in 42 CFR 431.230 and 431.231 for medicaid or within the time limits specified in 7 CFR 273.13 and subject to the exceptions therein for food stamps or, for social services and public assistance, if the hearing request was filed prior to the effective date of the adverse action.

HA 3.05(6) (6) The division shall acknowledge the receipt of a hearing request to the petitioner and the agency or department which took the action or made the decision under appeal, and shall request that the agency or department promptly provide a summary statement concerning the action or decision, including the reason for the action or decision.

HA 3.05 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1999, No. 527, eff. 12-1-99.

HA 3.06 HA 3.06 Hearing arrangements.

HA 3.06(1) (1) A hearing shall be held at a time reasonably convenient to the petitioner, department or agency staff and the administrative law judge, shall be easily accessible to the petitioner and, whenever possible, shall be held on department or agency premises, subject to the judgment of the administrative law judge.

HA 3.06(2) (2) A petitioner in need of special arrangements for the hearing, such as an interpreter or a hearing site other than the county agency, shall notify the division of this need no later than 5 days prior to the hearing.

HA 3.06(3) (3) At least 10 days before the hearing, the division shall provide written notice to the petitioner and the petitioner’s representative, if any, of the time, date and place of the hearing.

HA 3.06(4) (4) The division may postpone a hearing for good cause. In food stamp cases, a petitioner may request and is entitled to receive a postponement of the scheduled hearing of up to 30 days.

HA 3.06(5) (5) The parties may be directed by the administrative law judge to appear at a conference or to participate in a telephone conference to consider how issues might be clarified or simplified, whether facts or documents which may be admitted which will avoid unnecessary proof, or any other matter that may aid in the disposition of the appeal.

HA 3.06(6) (6) The petitioner or petitioner’s representative shall have an opportunity to do all of the following:

HA 3.06(6)(a) (a) Examine at a reasonable time before the date of the hearing and during the hearing all documents and records to be used or that are used at the hearing, and the content of the applicant’s or recipient’s case file, in accordance with 7 CFR 273.15(p) or 42 CFR 431.242.

HA 3.06(6)(b) (b) Present the case or have it presented by a representative.

HA 3.06(6)(c) (c) Bring witnesses.

HA 3.06(6)(d) (d) Question or refute any testimony or evidence, and confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses.

HA 3.06(6)(e) (e) Submit relevant evidence to establish all pertinent facts and circumstances in the case.

HA 3.06(6)(f) (f) Advance relevant arguments without undue interference.

HA 3.06(7) (7) A hearing shall be tape-recorded by the administrative law judge.

HA 3.06(8) (8) If individual issues of fact are not in material dispute and related issues of state or federal law are the sole issues being raised, the division may respond to a series of individual requests for a hearing by conducting one group hearing.

HA 3.06 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1999, No. 527, eff. 12-1-99.

HA 3.07 HA 3.07 Witnesses and subpoenas. The division or the administrative law judge may issue a subpoena, under the same procedure and in the same form as provided by s. 805.07 (1), Stats., at a party’s request if it appears that the testimony will be relevant and reasonably necessary for a full and fair hearing. The administrative law judge may require the party to provide written justification for the subpoena requested. A subpoena requiring the production of material may be issued if the person requesting the subpoena specifies the documents to be presented by the subpoenaed witness and if the request is found reasonable by the administrative law judge. The party requesting the subpoena is responsible for service and for fees.

HA 3.07 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1999, No. 527, eff. 12-1-99.

HA 3.08 HA 3.08 Administrative law judge.

HA 3.08(1) (1) An administrative law judge may do all of the following:

HA 3.08(1)(a) (a) Administer oaths and affirmations.

HA 3.08(1)(b) (b) Rule on offers of proof, accept relevant evidence and exclude from the record evidence that is irrelevant or repetitious.

HA 3.08(1)(c) (c) Dispose of procedural requests or similar matters.

HA 3.08(1)(d) (d) Regulate the conduct and course of the hearing consistent with due process to ensure an orderly hearing.

HA 3.08(1)(e) (e) Exclude individuals from the hearing, adjourn the hearing or otherwise reasonably respond to contemptuous conduct.

HA 3.08(1)(f) (f) Admit into evidence a deposition as a substitute for testimony, but only when the witness is unavailable as defined in s. 908.04, Stats. Depositions sought by the parties for the purpose of discovery are not authorized by this provision.

HA 3.08(1)(g) (g) Exclude individuals from the hearing to preserve the applicant’s or recipient’s confidentiality or where an individual’s presence is not considered essential, depending on the circumstances of the case including space limitations.

HA 3.08(1)(h) (h) Exercise discretion in excluding cameras from the hearing room.

HA 3.08(2) (2) An administrative law judge may at any time disqualify himself or herself. On the filing in good faith of a timely and sufficient affidavit of personal bias or other disqualification of an administrative law judge, the division or administrative law judge shall determine the matter as part of the record and decision in the case.

HA 3.08(3) (3) The administrative law judge may grant a continuance or additional time to present evidence once a hearing has started when the administrative law judge finds it necessary to the proceeding or to ensure that the petitioner is given a complete and fair hearing.

HA 3.08(4) (4) If the hearing in a medicaid case involves medical issues such as those concerning a diagnosis or an examining physician’s report and if the administrative law judge considers it necessary to have a medical assessment other than the one considered in making the original decision, the administrative law judge may order a new assessment to be obtained at department or agency expense and made a part of the record.

HA 3.08(5) (5) The administrative law judge may access and use information concerning the petitioner’s case history, benefit issuance history, calculations and notice history which is in the departments’ official computer systems, such as, but not limited to, the Client Assistance for Reemployment and Economic Support (CARES) system except that such information may not be used for the determination of substantive fact as to any issue in dispute.

HA 3.08 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1999, No. 527, eff. 12-1-99.

HA 3.09 HA 3.09 Hearing decision.

HA 3.09(1) (1) The tape recording of the hearing, the exhibits, papers and requests filed in the proceeding and matters of which the administrative law judge has taken official notice shall constitute the exclusive record for decision.

HA 3.09(2) (2) The decision shall be in writing in the name of the department by the department secretary or a designee such as an administrative law judge in the division.

HA 3.09(3) (3) The decision shall set forth the names and addresses of all persons who appeared before the division in the proceeding who are considered parties for purposes of judicial review, the issue or issues, the principal relevant facts elicited at the hearing, the reasoning that led to the decision, citation of legal authority, the action taken and the parties’ appeal rights. These elements shall be grouped under appropriate headings such as preliminary recitals, findings of fact, discussion, conclusions of law and the order.

HA 3.09(4) (4) Unless a different standard is provided by law, the standard for decision shall be by a preponderance of the credible evidence.

HA 3.09(5) (5) Where necessary and appropriate, an interim decision may be issued, where a final decision dispositive of the merits of the case is not possible.

HA 3.09(6) (6) A copy of the decision shall be mailed to the petitioner, the petitioner’s representative, if any, and the agency or the department organizational unit charged with the administration of the assistance or services involved. The petitioner’s mailing address shall be the address given for the petitioner on the hearing request, unless the petitioner has notified the division of another address in writing or placed it on the hearing record.

HA 3.09(7) (7) The decision shall include the names and addresses of the petitioner and the department or agency. The division shall serve a copy of the decision on each party. The decision is served on a party as of the date it is mailed by the division.

HA 3.09(8) (8) The petitioner may request a copy of the audio cassette tape recording of the hearing. The division shall furnish the requested recording upon receipt of payment for the cost of duplication and mailing. A written transcript of the hearing shall be prepared only if an appeal is filed with a circuit court pursuant to s. 227.53, Stats. If the petitioner requests a written copy of that transcript following the filing of that appeal, the division may impose a reasonable charge per transcript page.

HA 3.09(9) (9)