Chapter DWD 75

Register December 1996 No. 492

Chapter DWD 75

APPEAL PROCEDURES FOR PERSONS APPLYING FOR OR
RECEIVING VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES

DWD 75.01   Authority and purpose.

DWD 75.02   Applicability.

DWD 75.03   Definitions.

DWD 75.04   Right to a hearing.

DWD 75.05   Filing a hearing request.

DWD 75.06   Acknowledgment of a hearing request.

DWD 75.07   Time limit for hearing.

DWD 75.08   Motions relative to a hearing.

DWD 75.09   Identification of a representative.

DWD 75.10   Filing documents.

DWD 75.11   Services while a hearing officer’s decision is pending.

DWD 75.12   Hearing officer qualifications.

DWD 75.13   Authority of the hearing officer.

DWD 75.14   Prehearing conference.

DWD 75.15   Agreement prior to a hearing.

DWD 75.16   Hearing procedures.

DWD 75.17   Decision of the hearing officer.

DWD 75.18   Hearing officer’s report.

DWD 75.19   Review of hearing officer’s decision.

Ch. DWD 75 Note Note: Corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., 6. and 7., Stats. Register, December, 1996, No. 492.

DWD 75.01 DWD 75.01 Authority and purpose. This chapter is promulgated under the authority of ss. 47.02 (5) and 103.005 (1), Stats., and in conformity with requirements under 29 USC 722 (c), and 34 CFR 361.57, to develop and implement procedures for an applicant or eligible individual appealing the determination of ineligibility or any determination made by personnel of the division that affects the provision of vocational rehabilitation services by the division under the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended.

DWD 75.01 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1996, No. 492, eff. 1-1-97; CR 15-055: am. Register May 2016 No. 725, eff. 6-1-16; CR 22-008: am. Register June 2022 No. 798, eff. 7-1-22.

DWD 75.02 DWD 75.02 Applicability. This chapter applies to the department, applicants, eligible individuals, and representatives of applicants or eligible individuals. An applicant or eligible individual who is dissatisfied with a determination of ineligibility or any determination made by personnel of the division that affects the provision of vocational rehabilitation services under the act, or a decision issued by a hearing officer that affects the provisions of vocational rehabilitation services, may request a timely review of that determination or decision.

DWD 75.02 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1996, No. 492, eff. 1-1-97; CR 22-008: am. Register June 2022 No. 798, eff. 7-1-22.

DWD 75.03 DWD 75.03 Definitions. In this chapter:

DWD 75.03(1) (1) “Act” means the federal rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended, 29 USC 701 et seq.

DWD 75.03(2) (2) “Administrator” means the administrator of the division.

DWD 75.03(2m) (2m) “Administrator’s representative” means an employee of the department designated by the administrator to represent the department at each hearing.

DWD 75.03(3) (3) “Appeal” means a request for relief filed with the division by the applicant or eligible individual based on the determination of ineligibility or the determination affecting the provision of services issued by the division.

DWD 75.03(3m) (3m) “Contract administrator” means an employee of the department responsible for administering the contracts with the hearing officer.

DWD 75.03(5) (5) “Department” means the Wisconsin department of workforce development.

DWD 75.03(5r) (5r) “Determination of ineligibility” means a determination issued by the department to an individual who applies for vocational rehabilitation services and is determined not to be eligible for the services; or a decision issued by the department to an eligible individual receiving services under an IPE and is determined to no longer be eligible for services.

DWD 75.03(6) (6) “Division” means the department’s division of vocational rehabilitation.

DWD 75.03(7) (7) “File” or “filed” means the physical receipt of a document by the person designated in this chapter.

DWD 75.03(8) (8) “Hearing” means a formal review by an impartial hearing officer of the determination of ineligibility or the determination affecting the provision of services issued by the division.

DWD 75.03(9) (9) “Hearing coordinator” means an employee of the department within the division who maintains the records of hearings, contacts hearing officers to schedule hearings and ensures that time requirements for the completion and reporting of hearings are observed.

DWD 75.03(10) (10) “Hearing request” means a written request for a hearing signed by an applicant or eligible individual to appeal a determination of ineligibility or the determination affecting the provision of services.

DWD 75.03(11) (11) “Intent to review” means the department will review the decision of a hearing officer to determine if the decision will stand or be modified.

DWD 75.03(12) (12) “IPE” means individualized plan for employment.

DWD 75.03(13) (13) “Order of selection” means the order of priority for service, by category, required by 29 USC 721 (a) (5) (A) to ensure that consumers with the most severe functional limitations who need multiple services over an extended period of time or consumers who require specific services or equipment to maintain employment are served before consumers who have less severe functional limitations or do not require multiple services over an extended period of time.

DWD 75.03(14) (14) “Party” means an applicant, eligible individual, or their representative or the administrator’s representative.

DWD 75.03(15) (15) “Prehearing conference” means a joint face-to-face meeting, a telephone conference, separate meetings or separate telephone calls by the hearing officer with the parties prior to the hearing to formulate a statement of the issues presented by an appeal, identify potential witnesses, establish a schedule for discovery and deadlines for exchange of witness lists and exhibits, receive motions and clarify any remaining issues to be considered or excluded from a hearing.

DWD 75.03(16) (16) “Representative” means a parent, guardian, other family member or advocate designated in writing by the applicant or eligible individual, or a representative of the applicant or eligible individual appointed by a court.

DWD 75.03(16m) (16m) “Secretary” means the secretary of the department.

DWD 75.03(17) (17) “Wisconsin client assistance program” means a service program established by the governor under 34 CFR 370.2 (a) to (d).

DWD 75.03 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1996, No. 492, eff. 1-1-97; CR 15-055: cr. (2m), am. (3), cr. (3m), r. (4), cr. (5r), am. (8) to (16), cr. (16m), am. (17), Register May 2016 No. 725, eff. 6-1-16; CR 22-008: am. (3), (8), (10), (13), (14) Register June 2022 No. 798, eff. 7-1-22.

DWD 75.04 DWD 75.04 Right to a hearing. An applicant or eligible individual may appeal a determination of ineligibility or the determination affecting the provision of services including a decision relating to an order of selection for services, whenever vocational rehabilitation services for an individual are denied, reduced, suspended, or terminated.

DWD 75.04 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1996, No. 492, eff. 1-1-97; CR 15-055: am. Register May 2016 No. 725, eff. 6-1-16; CR 22-008: am. Register June 2022 No. 798, eff. 7-1-22.

DWD 75.05 DWD 75.05 Filing a hearing request.

DWD 75.05(1) (1) Time limits. The time limit for filing a hearing request shall be within 180 days after the date of written notice of a determination of ineligibility or a determination affecting the provision of services. Failure to file a hearing request within the 180-day limit shall be cause for the hearing request to be dismissed.

DWD 75.05(2) (2) How to file. An applicant or eligible individual shall file a written hearing request and state the issues involved in the appeal and the desired outcome on a form provided by the department with the hearing coordinator.

DWD 75.05 Note Note: To obtain a hearing request form, or for questions relating to filing a hearing request, contact the Hearing Coordinator, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, P.O. Box 7852, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, telephone [phone] or access the form online at http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dvr/.

DWD 75.05 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1996, No. 492, eff. 1-1-97; CR 15-055: am. Register May 2016 No. 725, eff. 6-1-16; CR 22-008: am. (1) Register June 2022 No. 798, eff. 7-1-22.

DWD 75.06 DWD 75.06 Acknowledgment of a hearing request. The hearing coordinator shall acknowledge receipt of a hearing request in writing and notify the parties within 5 working days after receiving the request. If a representative has been designated, the hearing coordinator shall notify the applicant’s or eligible individual’s representative in writing. The acknowledgment of a hearing request shall include a copy of this chapter, and information on appeal rights and the Wisconsin client assistance program.