(1)(a) (I) Except as provided in part 7 of this article, if an
application for assistance payments is not acted upon by the county department
within a reasonable time after filing of the same, or if an application is denied in
whole or in part, or if a grant of assistance payments is suspended, terminated, or
modified, the applicant or recipient, as the case may be, may appeal to the state
department in the manner and form prescribed by the rules of the state
department. Every county department or service delivery agency shall adopt
procedures for the resolution of disputes arising between the county department or
the service delivery agency and any applicant for or recipient of public assistance
prior to appeal to the state department. Such procedures are referred to in this
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(1) (a) (I) Except as provided in part 7 of this article, if an
application for assistance payments is not acted upon by the county department
within a reasonable time after filing of the same, or if an application is denied in
whole or in part, or if a grant of assistance payments is suspended, terminated, or
modified, the applicant or recipient, as the case may be, may appeal to the state
department in the manner and form prescribed by the rules of the state
department. Every county department or service delivery agency shall adopt
procedures for the resolution of disputes arising between the county department or
the service delivery agency and any applicant for or recipient of public assistance
prior to appeal to the state department. Such procedures are referred to in this
section as the dispute resolution process. Two or more counties may jointly
establish the dispute resolution process. The dispute resolution process shall be
consistent with rules promulgated by the state board pursuant to article 4 of title
24, C.R.S. The dispute resolution process shall include an opportunity for all clients
to have a county conference, upon the client's request, and such requirement may
be met through a telephonic conference upon the agreement of the client and the
county department. The dispute resolution process need not conform to the
requirements of section 24-4-105, C.R.S., as long as the rules adopted by the state
board include provisions specifically setting forth expeditious time frames, notice,
and an opportunity to be heard and to present information. If the dispute is not
resolved, the applicant or recipient may appeal to the state department in the
manner and form prescribed by the rules of the state department. Whether at the
county level, state level, or both, disputes related to the delivery of assistance
under the Colorado works program established pursuant to part 7 of this article
shall be decided in accordance with the rules promulgated by the state board
pursuant to this subparagraph (I) and with the county's official written policies
adopted pursuant to section 26-2-716 (2.5), which policies govern delivery of
assistance under such program. The state board shall adopt rules setting forth
what other issues, if any, may be appealed by an applicant or recipient to the state
department. County notices to applicants or recipients shall inform them of the
basis for the county's decision or action and shall inform them of their rights to a
county conference under the dispute resolution process and of their rights to state
level appeal and the process of making such appeal. A hearing need not be granted
when either state or federal law requires or results in an automatic grant
adjustment for classes of recipients, unless the reason for an individual appeal is
incorrect grant computation.
(II) Upon receipt of an appeal, the state department shall give the appellant
reasonable notice and an opportunity for a fair hearing in accordance with rules of
the state department. Any such fair hearing shall comply with section 24-4-105,
C.R.S., and the state department's administrative law judge shall preside.
(III) The appellant shall have an opportunity to examine all applications and
pertinent records concerning said appellant that constitute a basis for the denial,
suspension, termination, or modification of assistance payments.
(IV) The appellant may represent himself or herself or he or she may be
represented by legal counsel, or by a relative, friend, or other spokesman, and such
representation by nonlawyers shall not be considered to be the practice of law.
(b) The state department, by its rules, may provide for fair hearings and
appeals for applicants for and recipients of social services.
(c) (Deleted by amendment, L. 97, p. 1317, � 1, effective July 1, 1997.)
(2) All decisions of the state department shall be binding upon the county
department involved and shall be complied with by such county department.
(3) The state department, the department of health care policy and
financing, and the office of administrative courts in the department of personnel
shall work together to streamline the process for the appeal of disputes that are
not resolved at the county level and shall consider proposed legislative changes or
federal waivers for the Colorado works program pursuant to part 7 of this article in
order to address changes in the appeals process to avoid or mitigate expenses to
counties of maintaining benefits during the pendency of state-level appeals.
(4) The state department is authorized to apply to the United States
department of agriculture and the health care financing administration for waivers
to develop a process for appeals that ensures that issues may be consolidated at
the local and state levels. In applying for the waiver, the state department shall
demonstrate that due process considerations are addressed through other appeal
mechanisms.