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Maine Administrative Code
Department 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESDivision 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERALChapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULESFS-700's
ADMINISTRATION PROCEDURES
Section 144-301-700-FS 777-6 - Program Complaints

10-144-301 Me. Code R. § 700-FS 777-6

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Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024
Section 144-301-700-FS 777-6 - Program Complaints

GENERAL RULE- All complaints regarding processing standards and service to program participants, potential participants, or interested individuals or groups shall be directed to the appropriate TANF or PaS/FS Unit Supervisor. The complainant shall be provided a written response within 15 days and a copy shall be forwarded to the Regional Manager. The response shall specify the action taken and that the complainant can further appeal to the Regional Manager. Appeals to the Regional Manager shall be processed and notification made to the complainant within 10 days of the appeal. The notice shall advise that if the complainant is still dissatisfied that he/she can appeal to the Deputy Director, Office for Family Independence for final resolution. A final disposition will be made and the complainant notified within 10 days of the final appeal.

Information about the program complaint system and how to file a complaint shall be made available through pamphlets available at each regional office. Program complaints received through the statewide Food Supplement Program information hot-line will be referred to the appropriate TANF or PaS/Food Supplement Program Unit Supervisor.

EXCEPTION:

1. Complaints about discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, religious creed, national origin, political beliefs, or handicaps shall be handled as outlined in FS 1 of the Maine Food Supplement Program Manual.
2. Disagreements with agency actions affecting benefits shall be handled through the Fair Hearings process set forth in FS 777-1.
3. Allegations of misconduct or other complaints against an individual employee shall be processed in accord with Article 12 of the Collective Bargaining Contract in effect at the time of the complaint.

Each Regional Manager shall maintain a file or files containing sufficient data to show the disposition of each complaint. Information on each complaint shall be retained for a period of 3 years from the date of the end of the federal fiscal year in which the complaint was filed.

10-144 C.M.R. ch. 301, § 700-FS 777-6