FFHH Revisions
25-1, Updates Section 1240
Revision 25-1; Effective Jan. 17, 2025
The following changes were made:
| Section | Title | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1240 | Attorney-Involved Hearings | Clarifies the process after the first hearing is scheduled. |
Revision 25-1; Effective Jan. 17, 2025
The following changes were made:
| Section | Title | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1240 | Attorney-Involved Hearings | Clarifies the process after the first hearing is scheduled. |
Revision 23-1; Effective July 31, 2023
The following changes were made:
| Section | Title | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1100 | Legal Base/Definitions | Updates title to Legal Basis/ Fair Hearings Policy and Procedures. |
| 1110 | Federal Statutes and Regulations | Updates title to Statutes and Regulations. Moves information to new section 1111. |
| 1111 | Federal Statutes and Regulations | Adds a new section for applicable federal and state statutes and regulations. |
| 1112 | Texas Statutes and Regulations | Adds a new section on Texas statutes and regulations. |
| 1112.1 | Texas Human Resources Code | Adds new section detailing Texas Human Resources Code. |
| 1112.2 | Texas Administrative Code (TAC) | Adds new section detailing fair hearing information in TAC. |
| 1120 | Texas Laws | Moves Texas Laws to Section 1112 and updates title to Reserved for Future Use. |
| 1121 | Financial, Medical and Social Service Assistance | Deletes section. |
| 1130 | Texas Rule and Regulation Authority | Changes title to Burden of Proof. Adds policy on burden of proof in fair hearings. |
| 1131 | Authority and the Right to Appeal | Deletes section. Moves information on HHSC authority and appeals to new section 1112.2. |
| 1140 | Definitions | Changes title to Private (Ex Parte) Communication. Removes definitions and updates and adds policy on Private (Ex Parte) Communication. |
| 1150 | Judicial Notice | Adds a new section on judicial notice. |
| 1160 | Obtaining a Legal Opinion or Clarification | Adds a new section on obtaining a legal opinion or clarification. |
| 1170 | Requesting a Case File | Adds a new section on how appellants can request a case file. Incorporates information formerly in section 1562.3. |
| 1180 | Records and Confidential Information | Adds a new section on Records and Confidential Information. |
| 1181 | Privileges | Adds a new section on privileged information. |
| 1182 | Public Access to Decisions | Adds a new section and subsections on Public Access to Decisions. |
| 1182.1 | Confidential Information | Adds new section detailing what qualifies as confidential information, incorporating information formerly in Section 1900. |
| 1182.2 | Disclosure of Hearings Recordings and Records | Adds new section detailing recordings of hearings incorporating information previously in Section 1932. |
| 1183 | Official Record | Adds a new section detailing the official record of a hearing. |
| 1184 | Record Retention | Adds a new section on hearings record retention incorporating information previously in Section 1950. |
| 1185 | Prohibition of Use of Information Regarding Alien Status | Adds a new section on alien status disclosure using information formerly in Section 1960. |
| 1190 | Decision Reviews | Adds a new section detailing hearings managers’ responsibility to review decisions. |
| 1200 | Notice | Updates title to Participant Rights, Roles and Responsibilities. |
| 1210 | Notice of Proposed Adverse Action | Updates title to Hearings Officer. Adds new section information. Deletes adverse action information and moves it to Section 1310. |
| 1211 | Hearings Officer's Powers, Duties and Responsibilities | Adds a new section on Hearings Officer's Powers, Duties and Responsibilities. |
| 1212 | Limitation of Authority of Hearings Officers | Adds a new section on Limitation of Authority of Hearings Officers. |
| 1220 | Content of Notice | Changes title to Agency and creates subsections. Moves notice requirement information to Section 1300. |
| 1221 | Agency Responsibilities | Adds a new section on agency responsibilities using information formerly in Section 1562.5. |
| 1230 | Right to a Fair Hearing | Changes section title to Appellant. Moves information on the right to a fair hearing to Section 1410. |
| 1231 | Appellant’s Rights | Adds a new section on appellant’s rights. |
| 1232 | Appellant’s Responsibilities | Adds a new section on appellant’s responsibilities incorporating information formerly in Section 1562.4. |
| 1240 | Time Period for Requesting a Fair Hearing | Updates section information and title to Attorney-involved Hearings. Moves fair hearing information to Section 1420. |
| 1250 | Media | Adds a new section on media representatives. |
| 1260 | Interpreters | Adds a new section on interpreters using information formerly in Section 1580. |
| 1261 | Right to Request an Interpreter | Adds a new section detailing an appellant’s right to request an interpreter. Incorporates information formerly in Section 1583. |
| 1262 | Determination of Necessity for Interpreter | Adds a new section on how to determination the necessity for an interpreter using information from Section 1584. |
| 1263 | LEP Interpreters | Adds a new section on interpreters for appellants with limited English proficiency. |
| 1264 | Sign Language Interpreters | Adds a new section on sign language interpreters. |
| 1265 | Requirements for Interpreters | Adds a new section on requirements for interpreters. |
| 1266 | Procedures for Hearings Officers Related to Interpreters | Adds a new section on procedures for hearings officers related to interpreters. |
| 1266.1 | The Role of the Interpreter | Adds new section on the role of the interpreter in a hearing. |
| 1266.2 | Interpreter Oaths or Affirmations | Adds new section on the oath administered to interpreters. |
| 1266.3 | Curing Inaccuracies | Adds new section on the hearings officer’s responsibility to remedy inaccuracies in the interpretation. |
| 1267 | Complaints Regarding Quality of Interpretation | Adds a new section on complaints regarding quality of interpretation. |
| 1300 | Submitting a Fair Hearing Request Summary | Updates section title to Notice. Moves fair hearing summary information to Section 1400. |
| 1310 | Forwarding the Request to the Hearing Officer | Updates section title to Notice of Proposed Adverse Action and incorporates information that was previously in Section 1210. Moves hearings request information to Section 1440. |
| 1320 | Continued Benefits | Changes title to Content of Notice and incorporates information that was formerly in Section 1220. Moves benefits information to Section 1450. |
| 1321 | Medicaid | Adds a new section on Medicaid. |
| 1322 | Alberto N. Settlement | Adds a new section on Alberto N. Settlement incorporating information formerly in Section 1722. |
| 1323 | Nursing Facility Discharge | Adds a new section on nursing facility discharge. |
| 1324 | SNAP | Adds a new section on SNAP. |
| 1325 | TANF | Adds a new section on TANF. |
| 1330 | Agency Action Notice Issues | Adds a new section on agency action notice issues incorporating information previously in Section 1565. |
| 1331 | When Appellant Raises a Notice Issue | Adds a new section on when an appellant raises a notice issue using information formerly in Section 1565.1. |
| 1340 | Receipt of Agency Notices | Adds a new section on receiving agency notices. |
| 1400 | Scheduling the Hearing | Changes title to Submitting a Fair Hearing Request Summary. Moves scheduling information to Section 1500. |
| 1410 | Notice of Fair Hearing | Changes title to Right to a Fair Hearing and adds information regarding fair hearings rights. Moves notice information to Section 1510. |
| 1411 | Date and Location | Deletes this section. |
| 1420 | Exception —Transient/Expedited Appeals | Changes title to Period for Requesting a Fair Hearing. Updates section information. Moves transient and expedited appeals information to Section 1521. |
| 1430 | When an Attorney Is Involved | Changes section information and title to Determining Good Cause for Appealing Past 90-Day Period. Moves attorney-involved information to Section 1241. |
| 1431 | Time Frames for Processing Requests to Reopen | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1930. |
| 1440 | Continuances/Postponements | Changes title to Creating and Submitting a Fair Hearing Request, and updates information. Moves information on postponements to Section 1560. |
| 1450 | Continued Benefits | Adds new section on continued benefits incorporating information that was formerly in Section 1320. |
| 1500 | The Hearing | Changes title to Scheduling the Hearing and updates information. |
| 1510 | Hearings Officer's Powers and Duties | Changes title to Notice of Fair Hearing. Moves information on hearings officer duties to Section 1211. |
| 1511 | Responsibilities | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1211. |
| 1512 | General Duties | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1211. |
| 1513 | Limitation of Authority of Hearings Officers | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1212. |
| 1514 | Preparing for the Hearing | Deletes this section. |
| 1515 | Pre-hearing Conference — General | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1610. |
| 1520 | Group Hearings | Changes title to Expedited Hearings. Updates information. Moves group hearings information to Section 1550. |
| 1521 | Expedited Hearings for Transient Appeals | Adds new section of Expedited Hearings for Transient Appeals incorporating information formerly in Section 1420. |
| 1522 | Expedited Hearings for Individuals Whose Health is Jeopardized | Adds new section on expedited hearings for individuals whose health is jeopardized. |
| 1530 | Attendance at Hearing | Changes title to Hearing Setting. Updates section information. |
| 1540 | Burden of Proof | Updates title and section information to Attendance at Hearing. Moves burden of proof information to Section 1130. |
| 1550 | Private (Ex Parte) Communication | Updates section to Group Hearings and adds information formerly in Section 1520. Moves ex parte communication information to Section 1140. |
| 1560 | Conducting the Hearing | Changes title to Continuances or Postponements and adds information formerly in Section 1440. Moves information on conducting the hearing to Section 1700. |
| 1561 | Starting the Hearing | Deletes this section. Moves information to Section 1710. |
| 1562 | During the Hearing | Deletes this section. |
| 1562.1 | Hearings Officer's Responsibility | Deletes this section. Moves information to Section 1211. |
| 1562.2 | Appellant's Rights | Deletes this section. Moves information to Section 1231. |
| 1562.3 | Requesting a Case File | Deletes this section. Moves information to Section 1170. |
| 1562.4 | Appellant's Responsibilities | Deletes this section. Moves information to Section 1232. |
| 1562.5 | Agency Responsibilities | Deletes this section. Moves information to Section 1221. |
| 1563 | Short Hearings | Deletes this section. Moves information to Section 1760. |
| 1564 | Developing the Record | Deletes this section. |
| 1564.1 | When the Agency Representative Does Not Appear for the Hearing | Deletes this section. Moves information to Section 1740. |
| 1562.2 | When the Appellant Does Not Appear for the Hearing | Deletes this section. Moves information to Section 1750. |
| 1564.2.1 | Hearings Held Via a Conference Call | Deletes this section. Moves information to Section 1751. |
| 1564.2.2 | Face-to-Face Hearings | Deletes this section. Moves information to Section 1752. |
| 1565 | Agency Action Notice Issues | Deletes this section. Moves information to Section 1330. |
| 1565.1 | When Appellant Raises a Notice Issue | Deletes this section. Moves information to Section 1331. |
| 1565.2 | When Appellant Does Not Raise a Notice Issue | Deletes this section. |
| 1566 | Receipt of Program Notices | Deletes this section. |
| 1566.1 | Testimony and Evidence | Deletes this section. Incorporates information into Section 1633. |
| 1566.2 | Exhibits Offered and Admitted | Deletes this section. Incorporates information into Section 1633.1. |
| 1566.3 | Exhibits Offered and Not Admitted | Deletes this section. Incorporates information into Section 1633.3. |
| 1566.4 | Exhibits Provided But Not Offered into Evidence | Deletes this section. |
| 1566.5 | Duplicates of the Same Exhibit | Deletes this section. |
| 1566.6 | Labeling Exhibits | Deletes this section. Moves some information to Section 1633.4. |
| 1566.7 | Handling Objections | Deletes this section. Moves information to Section 1633.2. |
| 1566.8 | When to Admit Exhibits | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1633.1. |
| 1567 | Closing the Hearing | Deletes this section. |
| 1568 | Requesting Additional Documents | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1634. |
| 1569 | Obtaining a Legal Clarification | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1770. |
| 1570 | Recessed Hearings | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1770. |
| 1571 | Example of a Recessed Hearing | Deletes this section and incorporates information into Section 1770. |
| 1580 | Interpreters | Deletes this section. Moves interpreter information to Section 1260. |
| 1581 | Spanish/English Interpreters | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1260. |
| 1582 | Other Interpreters | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1260. |
| 1583 | Right to Request an Interpreter | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1260. |
| 1584 | Determination of Necessity for Interpreter | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1260. |
| 1585 | When an Interpreter is Not Needed | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1260. |
| 1586 | Requirements for Interpreters | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1265. |
| 1587 | Procedures for Hearings Officers Related to Interpreters | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1266. |
| 1587.1 | The Role of the Interpreter | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1266.1. |
| 1587.2 | Interpreter Oaths or Affirmations | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1266.2. |
| 1587.2.1 | Examples of Conflicts of Interest | Deletes this section. |
| 1587.3 | Curing Inaccuracies | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1266.3. |
| 1588 | Complaints Regarding Quality of Interpretation | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1267. |
| 1600 | Evidence | Updates title to Prior to Conducting a Hearing. Moves evidence information to Section 1630. |
| 1610 | Discovery | Updates title to Pre-hearing Conference – General. Moves discovery information to Section 1630. |
| 1620 | Written Interrogatories | Updates title to Special Hearing Situations. Moves written interrogatories to Section 1632. |
| 1621 | Hearings for Programs with Program Cost Limits | Adds this new section. |
| 1621.1 | Exceptional Circumstances | Adds this new section. |
| 1622 | Hearings Concerning Overpayments | Adds this new section. |
| 1630 | Evidence | Updates section to Discovery, Evidence, and Exhibits. Incorporates information from former Section 1566. |
| 1631 | Discovery | Adds this new section incorporating information from former Section 1610. |
| 1632 | Written Interrogatories | Adds this new section using information previously in Section 1620. |
| 1633 | Evidence | Adds this new section. |
| 1633.1 | Exhibits Admitted | Adds this new section using information previously in Section 1566.2. |
| 1633.2 | Handling Objections | Adds this new section using information previously in Section 1566.7. |
| 1633.3 | Exhibits Not Admitted | Adds new section with information moved from Section 1566.3. |
| 1633.4 | Labeling Exhibits | Adds this new section using some information from former Section 1566.6. |
| 1634 | Requesting Additional Documents | Adds new section incorporating information from Section 1568. |
| 1640 | Additional Medical Assessment | Deletes this section. |
| 1700 | Decisions | Updates title to Conducting the Hearing. Moves decision information to Section. |
| 1710 | Decision Process | Changes title to Starting the Hearing incorporating information formerly in Section 1561. |
| 1711 | Time Frames | Deletes this section. Moves information to Section 1820. |
| 1720 | Decisions | Changes title to Invoking the Rule and adds new information. Moves decisions information to Section 1800. |
| 1721 | Components of a Hearing Decision | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1840. |
| 1721.1 | Signing the Hearings Decision | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1870. |
| 1722 | Hearings Covered by the Alberto N. Settlement | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1322. |
| 1723 | Delays in Issuing a Decision | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1830. |
| 1724 | Dismissals | Deletes this section. |
| 1724.1 | Appellant Did Not Appear Initial Dismissal | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1750. |
| 1724.2 | Determining Good Cause | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1921.1. |
| 1724.3 | Action on Good Cause Statement | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1921.2. |
| 1724.4 | Past 90-day Time Frame | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1430. |
| 1725 | Withdrawn Appeals | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1862.1. |
| 1725.1 | Oral Withdrawal Received During the Hearing | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1862.3. |
| 1725.2 | Reserved | Deletes this section. |
| 1725.3 | If an Appellant Dies During the Appeal Process | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1862.4. |
| 1726 | Reversed Appeals | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1863. |
| 1727 | Sustained Appeals | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1864. |
| 1728 | Request to Reopen | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1920. |
| 1729 | Amended or Re-issued Decision | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1940. |
| 1730 | Hearing Manager Responsibilities | Changes title to Controlling the Hearing and incorporates information previously in Section 1560. |
| 1731 | When a Party Disconnects from the Hearing | Adds new section on disconnection policies. |
| 1731.1 | If All Parties Disconnect from the Hearing | Adds new section on disconnection policies. |
| 1731.2 | If Only the Appellant Disconnects from the Hearing | Adds new section on disconnection policies. |
| 1731.3 | If Only the Agency Representative Disconnects from the Hearing | Adds new section on disconnection policies. |
| 1734.4 | If Only a Witness Disconnects from the Hearing | Adds new section on disconnection policies. |
| 1740 | Decision Formats for Certain Decisions | Changes title to When the Agency Representative Does Not Appear for the Hearing and incorporates information formerly in Section 1564. Moves decision formats to Section 1860. |
| 1741 | Decisions to Dismiss | Deletes this section |
| 1742 | Decisions to Withdraw | Deletes this section |
| 1743 | Decisions to Sustain or Reverse | Deletes this section |
| 1744 | Sustained and Reversed Decisions for Albert N. or THSteps Appeals | Deletes this section |
| 1745 | Decision to Uphold the Original Decision | Deletes this section |
| 1746 | Short Form for Reversed Decisions | Deletes this section |
| 1750 | Decision Routing | Changes title to When the Appellant Does Not Appear for the Hearing. Moves information formerly in Section 1564.2. Moves decision routing information to Section 1880. |
| 1751 | Hearings Held Via a Conference Call | Adds new section incorporating information formerly in Section 1564.2.1. |
| 1752 | Face-to-Face Hearings | Adds new section using information formerly in Section 1564.2.2. |
| 1760 | Short Hearings | Adds new section using information formerly in Section 1563. |
| 1770 | Recessed Hearings | Adds this new section using information from Section 1570. |
| 1771 | When a Party Does Not Appear at a Reconvened Hearing | Adds new section incorporating information previously in Section 1564. |
| 1800 | Implementing the Hearing Decision | Changes title to Decisions. |
| 1810 | Responsibility of the Agency Representative for Implementing Decisions | Changes title to Before Writing the Decision and incorporates information from Section 1720. Moves implementation information to Section 1911. |
| 1811 | Delays in Implementing a Hearings Decision | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1912. |
| 1820 | Responsibility of the Agency Representative's Supervisor | Updates section to Decision Issuance Time Frames incorporating information formerly in Section 1711. |
| 1830 | Delays in Issuing a Decision | Adds this new section using information formerly in Section 1723. |
| 1840 | Components of a Hearing Decision | Adds new section using information formerly in Section 1721. |
| 1850 | Writing the Decision | Adds new section incorporating information formerly in Section 1721. |
| 1860 | Decision Formats for Certain Decisions | Adds new section incorporating information previously in Section 1740. |
| 1861 | Decisions to Dismiss | Adds new section using information formerly in Section 1741. |
| 1862 | Decisions to Withdraw | Adds new section using information formerly in Section 1742. |
| 1862.1 | Withdrawn Appeals | Adds new section incorporating information formerly in Section 1725. |
| 1862.2 | Withdrawal Received Prior to the Hearing | Adds new section using information formerly in Section 1725. |
| 1862.3 | Oral Withdrawal Received During the Hearing | Adds new section using information formerly in Section 1725.1. |
| 1862.4 | If an Appellant Dies During the Appeal Process | Adds this new section incorporating information formerly in Section 1725.3. |
| 1863 | Decisions to Reverse | Adds this new section incorporating information formerly in Section 1726. |
| 1864 | Decisions to Sustain | Adds this new section incorporating information formerly in Section 1726. |
| 1870 | Signing the Hearing Decision | Adds this new section using information formerly in Section 1721.1. |
| 1880 | Decision Routing | Adds this new section using information formerly in Section 1750. |
| 1900 | Records and Confidential Information | Changes title to Post-Hearing Activities. |
| 1910 | Confidential Material | Changes title to Implementing the Hearing Decision. Move confidential materials information to Section 1180. |
| 1911 | Responsibility of the Agency Representative for Implementing Decisions | Adds new section using information formerly in Section 1810. |
| 1912 | Delays in Implementing a Hearings Decision | Adds this new section using information formerly in Section 1811. |
| 1920 | Privileges | Updates section to Requests to Reopen and moves information formerly from Section 1728. Moves Privileges information to Section 1811. |
| 1921 | Request to Reopen Following Dismissal for Failure to Appear | Adds this new section incorporating information formerly in Section 1728. |
| 1921.1 | Determining Good Cause for Failure to Appear | Adds this new section incorporating information formerly in Section 1724.3. |
| 1921.2 | Action on Reopen Request | Adds new section detailing actions taken on reopen requests. |
| 1922 | Request to Reopen Following Sustained Decision | Adds this new section incorporating information previously in Section 1728. |
| 1930 | Public Access to Decisions | Changes title to Time Frames for Processing Requests to Reopen. |
| 1931 | Confidential Information | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1182. |
| 1932 | Disclosure of Hearings Recordings and Records | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1182. |
| 1940 | Official Record | Changes title to Amended or Re-issued Decision incorporating information previously in Section 1729. Moves official records information to Section 1183. |
| 1950 | Record Retention | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1184. |
| 1960 | Prohibition of Use of Information Regarding Alien Status | Deletes this section and moves information to Section 1185. |
| Appendix II | area Boxes and E-Mail Addresses | Updates title and updates content. |
| Appendix VI | Decision Issuance Codes | Changes title and updates content. |
| FFHH Contact Us | FFHH Contact Us | Deletes Appeals Division calling phone number. |
Revision Notice 23-2; Effective April 28, 2023
The following changes were made:
| Revised | Change |
|---|---|
| Frequently Asked Questions – Client | Updates the questions and answers. |