This page explains how to file an appeal for an eligibility decision for public assistance programs.
If you disagree with a decision from the department that impacts your eligibility or benefits you receive, you have the right to appeal that decision. The process for appealing a decision or requesting a fair hearing depends on the program that you are refuting.
Appeals and fair hearings
An appeal is also referred to as a fair hearing. If we made a decision about your benefits that you do not agree with, you can request an appeal. The department’s first step will include contacting you to discuss your concerns and reviewing the case to ensure eligibility and benefits were calculated accurately.
The hearing is your chance to explain why you disagree with the department's decision. Most hearings are conducted telephonically. During the hearing, you will have the opportunity to have the decision you are appealing reviewed by a third party, independent hearing officer (similar to a judge). You will have the opportunity to present information to the hearing officer to show why you disagree with the department's decision on your case. The administrative hearing will be conducted by the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) under the rules applicable to Department of Health and Welfare in effect prior to July 1, 2024. These rules apply pursuant to, and are set forth within, OAH General Order No. 1. At the hearing, you may represent yourself, use legal counsel, a relative, a friend, or other spokesperson. The department will provide supporting documentation regarding their eligibility decision for your household. The hearing officer will make a decision based on the information both sides provide and the applicable program rules.
There are different timelines for requesting an appeal or fair hearing. These timeframes begin the date the department gave or mailed you a notice.
Find more information, instructions, and appeal forms, select a program below.
Temporary Assistance for Families in Idaho (TAFI) and Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD Cash)
If the department denies or discontinues your cash assistance benefits, and you disagree with that decision, or you believe the amount of benefit you receive is incorrect, you have the right to file an appeal.
You have 30 days from the date on your notice about the decision to file an appeal.
How to file an appeal
You can file an appeal in one of the following ways:
- Submit a request for an appeal by completing the Fair Hearing Request form and mailing it to us.
- Request an appeal in writing by mail, email, or fax. You may be asked to complete the Fair Hearing Request form.
- Call us to request an appeal. When you call, you may be asked to submit a request in writing or complete the Fair Hearing Request form.
File your appeal
By mail:Self-Reliance Programs |
By email: |
By fax866-434-8278 (toll free) |
By phone877-456-1233 (toll free) |
In some instances, you may be able to continue receiving your benefits while your appeal is being considered. If your appeal is denied, you will be responsible to repay any benefits you received during this time period. If you want to continue receiving benefits during your appeal process, you must let us know within 10 days of the date of the notice.
The hearing is your chance to explain why you disagree with the department's decision. Most hearings are conducted telephonically. During the hearing, you will have the opportunity to have the decision you are appealing reviewed by a third party, independent hearing officer (similar to a judge). You will have the opportunity to present information to the hearing officer to show why you disagree with the department's decision on your case. At the hearing, you may represent yourself, use legal counsel, a relative, a friend, or other spokesperson. The department will provide supporting documentation regarding their eligibility decision for your household. The hearing officer will make a decision based on the information both sides provide and the applicable program rules.
Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP)
If the department denies or discontinues your ICCP benefits, and you disagree with that decision, or you believe the amount of benefit you receive is incorrect, you have the right to file an appeal.
You have 30 days from the date on your notice about the decision to file an appeal.
How to file an appeal
You can file an appeal in one of the following ways:
- Submit a request for an appeal by completing the Fair Hearing Request form and mailing it to us.
- Request an appeal in writing by mail, email, or fax. You may be asked to complete the Fair Hearing Request form.
- Call us to request an appeal. When you call, you may be asked to submit a request in writing or complete the Fair Hearing Request form.
File your appeal
By mail:Self-Reliance Programs |
By email: |
By fax866-434-8278 (toll free) |
By phone877-456-1233 (toll free) |
In some instances, you may be able to continue receiving your benefits while your appeal is being considered. If your appeal is denied, you will be responsible to repay any benefits you received during this time period. If you want to continue receiving benefits during your appeal process, you must let us know within 10 days of the date of the notice.
The hearing is your chance to explain why you disagree with the department's decision. Most hearings are conducted telephonically. During the hearing, you will have the opportunity to have the decision you are appealing reviewed by a third party, independent hearing officer (similar to a judge). You will have the opportunity to present information to the hearing officer to show why you disagree with the department's decision on your case. At the hearing, you may represent yourself, use legal counsel, a relative, a friend, or other spokesperson. The department will provide supporting documentation regarding their eligibility decision for your household. The hearing officer will make a decision based on the information both sides provide and the applicable program rules.
Child Support Services (CSS)
For many enforcement actions taken by the department’s Child Support Program, you have the right to request a hearing or administrative review.
Hearings
You may request a hearing when either:
- You are notified that the department intends to suspend a license(s)
- You are notified that the department has frozen a financial account and intends to withhold the financial asset
If you request a hearing, you and the department may present evidence to a third-party hearing officer. The hearing officer may uphold or suspend (prevent) the Department’s enforcement action.
Requests for a hearing must be received in writing within the following timeframes:
- For a financial asset seizure, you have 14 calendar days from the date on your notice.
- For a license suspension, you have 21 calendar days from the date you receive the notice.
Administrative Reviews
You may request an administrative review for enforcement actions such as:
- Lottery winning offset
- Insurance enrollment
- Tax offset
- Unemployment Insurance Benefit (UIB) withholding
- Credit reporting
- Lien filing
- PERSI withholding order
- Income Withholding Order (IWO)
- Wage Withholding Order (WWO)
An administrative review is completed by the department. It allows you to explain or provide documentation as to why the enforcement action is not correct. The department reviews the information and determines if the enforcement action is correct according to program rules and the facts of your case.
How to request a hearing or administrative review
You can request a hearing or administrative review by completing and returning the form included in your notice (only provided for some enforcement actions) or submitting a request in writing.
Request your Hearing or Administrative Review in writing using one of the following methods:
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By mail: Idaho Child Support |
By email: |
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By fax 855-349-2408 (toll free) |
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
If the department denies or discontinues your SNAP benefits, and you disagree with that decision, or you believe the amount of benefit you receive is incorrect, you have the right to file an appeal.
You have 90 days from the date on your notice about the decision to file an appeal.
How to file an appeal
You can file an appeal in one of the following ways:
- Submit a request for an appeal by completing the Fair Hearing Request form and mailing it to us.
- Request an appeal in writing by mail, email, or fax. You may be asked to complete the Fair Hearing Request form.
- Call us to request an appeal. When you call, you may be asked to submit a request in writing or complete the Fair Hearing Request form.
File your appeal
By mail:Self-Reliance Programs |
By email: |
By fax866-434-8278 (toll free) |
By phone877-456-1233 (toll free) |
In some instances, you may be able to continue receiving your benefits while your appeal is being considered. If your appeal is denied, you will be responsible to repay any benefits you received during this time period. If you want to continue receiving benefits during your appeal process, you must let us know within 10 days of the date of the notice.
The hearing is your chance to explain why you disagree with the department's decision. Most hearings are conducted telephonically. During the hearing, you will have the opportunity to have the decision you are appealing reviewed by a third party, independent hearing officer (similar to a judge). You will have the opportunity to present information to the hearing officer to show why you disagree with the department's decision on your case. At the hearing, you may represent yourself, use legal counsel, a relative, a friend, or other spokesperson. The department will provide supporting documentation regarding their eligibility decision for your household. The hearing officer will make a decision based on the information both sides provide and the applicable program rules.
Medicaid for Adults, Children's Medicaid, and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
If the department denies or discontinues your Medicaid benefits, and you disagree with that decision, or you believe the amount of benefit you receive is incorrect, you have the right to file an appeal.
You have 30 days from the date on your notice about the decision to file an appeal.
How to file an appeal
You can file an appeal in one of the following ways:
- Submit a request for an appeal by completing the Fair Hearing Request form and mailing it to us.
- Request an appeal in writing by mail, email, or fax. You may be asked to complete the Fair Hearing Request form.
- Call us to request an appeal. When you call, you may be asked to submit a request in writing or complete the Fair Hearing Request form.
File your appeal
By mail:Self-Reliance Programs |
By email: |
By fax866-434-8278 (toll free) |
By phone877-456-1233 (toll free) |
In some instances, you may be able to continue receiving your benefits while your appeal is being considered. If your appeal is denied, you will be responsible to repay any benefits you received during this time period. If you want to continue receiving benefits during your appeal process, you must let us know within 10 days of the date of the notice.
The hearing is your chance to explain why you disagree with the department's decision. Most hearings are conducted telephonically. During the hearing, you will have the opportunity to have the decision you are appealing reviewed by a third party, independent hearing officer (similar to a judge). You will have the opportunity to present information to the hearing officer to show why you disagree with the department's decision on your case. At the hearing, you may represent yourself, use legal counsel, a relative, a friend, or other spokesperson. The department will provide supporting documentation regarding their eligibility decision for your household. The hearing officer will make a decision based on the information both sides provide and the applicable program rules.
Division of Medicaid appeals
If the department makes a decision about the Medicaid services and benefits you receive, such as developmental disability services or the level of care, and you disagree with that decision, or you believe the amount of benefit you receive is incorrect, you have the right to file an appeal. You have 28 days from the date on your notice about the decision to file an appeal about Medicaid services.
Medicaid appeals
If you disagree with a decision from the department about the benefits you receive, you can appeal that decision. See the library for more information.
Medicaid Appeal Information Library