Chapter HA 3

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) 

HA 3.09(9)(a) (a) Except for a proposed decision under par. (b), or by order in a specific case, the decision of the administrative law judge shall be the final decision of the department in proceedings under this chapter.

HA 3.09(9)(b) (b) The administrative law judge shall submit a proposed decision to the secretary or designee for decision in any of the following circumstances:

HA 3.09(9)(b)1. 1. The decision holds that a manual or handbook provision, contract provision, state plan provision, numbered memo administrative directive or other official document is invalid or limited under a statute, administrative rule or federal regulation.

HA 3.09(9)(b)2. 2. The department has not delegated final decision making authority to the division.

HA 3.09(10) (10) When a proposed decision rather than a final decision is issued, the petitioner and the agency or department may file written comments with the division within 15 days from the date of service of the decision. This period may be extended for 10 days upon request of either party. At the close of the comment period, the proposed decision and comments shall be forwarded by the division to the secretary for issuance of a final decision.

HA 3.09(11) (11) The division shall ensure that decisions for medicaid are issued in a timely manner so that final administrative action may be taken within 90 days from the date of filing of the hearing request, and that decisions for food stamps are issued within 60 days from the date of filing of the hearing request.

HA 3.09(12) (12) When a petition for review is dismissed in its entirety, final administrative action is taken on the date the division mails the decision to the petitioner.

HA 3.09(13) (13) A final decision is binding upon the department and agency involved and may be enforced by appropriate legal and fiscal sanctions. The agency involved shall implement any food stamp decision within 10 days after the date of the decision.

HA 3.09 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1999, No. 527, eff. 12-1-99.

HA 3.10 HA 3.10 Rehearing and amendment of decision.

HA 3.10(1) (1) When requested by the petitioner or that person’s representative, the department or an agency or, upon its own motion, the division, may, within 30 days of the date of the decision, amend or vacate a decision for the purpose of correcting either plain or administrative errors, or as altered conditions may require.

HA 3.10(2) (2) A petitioner or that person’s representative, an agency or the department may request a rehearing pursuant to s. 227.49, Stats. Such a request shall state what error of law or fact is asserted as the basis for the rehearing or what newly discovered evidence has been found which could not have been found earlier with due diligence. Upon granting a rehearing, the division shall determine whether or not a proceeding to consider additional evidence is required.

HA 3.10(3) (3) After a decision has been issued dismissing a hearing request as abandoned by the petitioner as provided in s. HA 3.05 (4) (d), the division may vacate that decision upon the assertion by petitioner in writing within 30 days of the date of the decision that the matter has not been abandoned.

HA 3.10 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1999, No. 527, eff. 12-1-99.

HA 3.11 HA 3.11 Costs motion.

HA 3.11(1) (1) A petitioner may file a motion for costs under s. 227.485, Stats., with the division and the department or agency within 30 days of service of the final decision if the petitioner was the prevailing party. The petitioner need not be represented by an attorney to file a costs motion.

HA 3.11(2) (2) Although no specific form or format is required, a complete costs motion shall contain an explanation of why the state agency which was the losing party was not substantially justified in taking its position, and an itemized application for fees and other expenses, including an itemized statement from any attorney or expert witness representing or appearing on behalf of the petitioner stating the actual time expended and the rate at which fees and other expenses were computed. A complete motion shall also contain an affidavit or other proof that the petitioner has federal adjusted gross income of less than $150,000 in each of the 3 calendar years or corresponding fiscal years immediately prior to the commencement of the case.

HA 3.11(3) (3) The petitioner’s costs may include attorney’s fees and any of the following items if the item provided evidence relevant to the hearing issue on which the party prevailed:

HA 3.11(3)(a) (a) Expert witness fees.

HA 3.11(3)(b) (b) Any study, analysis, engineering report, test or project determined by the administrative law judge to be necessary for preparation of the case.

HA 3.11(3)(c) (c) Service of process on relevant witnesses.

HA 3.11(3)(d) (d) Certified copies of papers and records in any public office.

HA 3.11(3)(e) (e) Postage.

HA 3.11(3)(f) (f) Telephone, telegraph or FAX expense.

HA 3.11(3)(g) (g) Depositions of unavailable witnesses, including necessary photocopies.

HA 3.11(3)(h) (h) Plats and photographs.

HA 3.11(4) (4) The department or agency may respond in writing to the administrative law judge within 15 days of its receipt of a complete costs motion. If the petitioner’s costs motion contains a request for expert witness fees, the response shall indicate the highest rate of compensation paid by the agency or department to an expert witness in the case.

HA 3.11(5) (5) The administrative law judge may deny a costs motion that is not complete.

HA 3.11(6) (6) The administrative law judge shall prepare a written proposed decision which denies or awards some or all of the requested costs. That proposed decision shall be forwarded by the division to the department for issuance of a final decision.

HA 3.11 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1999, No. 527, eff. 12-1-99.

HA 3.12 HA 3.12 Wisconsin works.