§ 6-70. Notice of decision

(a) Written decision. The administrator will give a written decision to each applicant after making a determination of eligibility each time a person applies. The decision will be given to the applicant within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving a completed and signed application (22 M.R.S.A. § 4305(3)) (see section 6-26).

When an applicant submits an incomplete or unsigned application, due to the twenty-four-hour decision requirement placed on the GA administrator, the GA administrator may decide to render a notice of "ineligibility" and provide the applicant with another application to submit as soon as is practicable for the applicant.

In order to ensure that applicants understand their rights, it is the responsibility of the general assistance administrator to explain the applicants' right to a fair hearing in the written notice of decision.

(b) Contents. After an application has been completed, applicants will be given written notice of any decision concerning their eligibility for assistance. In addition to the contents of a written decision listed in section 6-26, the notice will state that applicants:

(1) Have the right to a fair hearing and the method by which they may obtain a fair hearing and;

(2) Have the right to contact the DHHS if they believe the municipality has violated the law. The decision will state the method for notifying the department.

(c) Disbursement of general assistance. Except when determined impractical by the administrator, all general assistance will be provided in the form of a voucher or purchase order payable to a vendor or through direct municipal payment to a provider of goods or services. General assistance will not be issued in the form of a cash payment to an applicant unless there is no alternative to making such a cash payment, in which case the administrator shall document the circumstances for issuing general assistance in the form of cash (22 M.R.S.A. § 4305(6)).

(Ord. of 4-28-2008, Art. VI, § 6.10)