Virginia Law

A. When it is suspected that there has been a deliberate misrepresentation of facts by a recipient in order to receive benefits, services, or payments, the local department shall investigate whether or not an intentional program violation was committed. If the local department finds clear and convincing evidence that an intentional program violation has occurred, the case will be referred for an administrative disqualification hearing. The local department may also refer the case to the attorney for the Commonwealth for criminal prosecution.

B. Recipients found to have committed an intentional program violation either through an administrative disqualification hearing or by a court of competent jurisdiction shall be ineligible to participate in the Child Care Subsidy Program for a period of three months upon the first finding, 12 months upon the second finding, and permanently upon the third finding.

C. In cases where a nonfraud overpayment occurred due to an inadvertent household error, the parent will not be disqualified from participating in the subsidy program as long as a repayment schedule is entered into with the local department and payments are made according to that schedule.

D. Administrative disqualification hearings shall be held in accordance with the following:

1. Prior to submitting the request for an ADH to the state hearing authority, the local department shall provide written notification to the individual suspected of an intentional program violation that the individual can waive his right to an ADH by signing a waiver request and returning it to the local department within 10 days from the date notification is sent to the individual in order to avoid submission of the request for an ADH.

2. If a signed waiver is received, no ADH is conducted and the disqualification period is imposed.

3. The local department shall request an ADH be scheduled by submitting a written request to the state hearing authority. The form must include the following information:

a. Identifying information;

b. Summary of the allegations;

c. Summary of the evidence; and

d. Copies of documents supporting the allegations.

The referral is to be signed and dated by the supervisor or local department director.

4. The hearing officer will schedule a date for the ADH and provide written notice to the individual suspected of committing an IPV at least 30 days in advance of the date the ADH has been scheduled. The notice shall contain at a minimum:

a. The date, time, and place of the hearing;

b. The charges against the individual;

c. A summary of the evidence, and how and where the evidence can be examined;

d. A statement that the decision will be based solely on information provided by the local department of social services if the individual fails to appear at the hearing;

e. A statement that the individual or representative will, upon receipt of the notice, have 10 days from the date of the scheduled hearing to present good cause for failure to appear in order to receive a new hearing;

f. A statement that a determination of intentional program violation will result in a disqualification period, and a statement of which penalty is applicable to the case scheduled for a hearing;

g. A listing of the individual's rights, including the right to:

(1) Examine the contents of his case file and all documents and records to be used by the agency at the hearing at a reasonable time before the date of the hearing as well as during the hearing;

(2) At his option, present his case himself or with the aid of an authorized representative;

(3) Bring witnesses;

(4) Establish all pertinent facts and circumstances;

(5) Advance any arguments without undue interference; and

(6) Question or refute any testimony or evidence, including opportunity to confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses; and

h. If there is an individual or organization available that provides free legal representation, the notice shall advise the affected individual of the availability of the service.

5. The time and place of the ADH shall be arranged so that the hearing is accessible to the individual suspected of committing an IPV. The individual may request a postponement of the ADH if the request for postponement is made at least 10 days in advance of the date of the scheduled hearing. The ADH shall not be postponed for more than a total of 30 days and the state hearing authority may limit the number of postponements.

6. The ADH can be held even if the individual fails to appear. The individual has 10 days after the date of the scheduled ADH to present reasons indicating a good cause failure to appear.

7. Even though the individual is not present, the hearing officer shall carefully consider the evidence and determine if an IPV was committed, based on clear and convincing evidence.

8. If the recipient is found to have committed an IPV, but a hearing officer later determines there was good cause for not appearing, the previous decision will no longer be valid and a new ADH shall be conducted. The hearing officer who conducted the original hearing may conduct the new hearing. The good cause decision shall be entered into the hearing record by the hearing officer.

9. The hearing officer shall:

a. Identify those present for the record;

b. Advise the individual that he may refuse to answer questions during the hearing and that anything said or signed by the individual concerning the charges may be used against him in a court of law;

c. Explain the purpose of the ADH, the procedure, and how and by whom a decision will be reached and communicated;

d. Consider all relevant issues and determine if an IPV was committed, based on clear and convincing evidence;

e. Request, receive, and make part of the record all evidence determined necessary to render a decision;

f. Regulate the conduct and course of the hearing consistent with due process to ensure an orderly hearing; and

g. Advise the local department to obtain a medical assessment at the local department's expense if the hearing officer considers it necessary.

10. The individual alleged to have committed an IPV shall be given adequate opportunity to:

a. Examine all documents and records to be used at the ADH at a reasonable time prior to the ADH as well as during the ADH. The contents of the case file, including the application form and documents of verification used by the local department to establish the alleged IPV, shall be made available;

b. Present his case himself or with the aid of an authorized representative;

c. Bring witnesses;

d. Establish all pertinent facts and circumstances;

e. Question or refute any testimony or evidence, including the opportunity to confront and cross-examine witnesses; and

f. Advance arguments without any undue influence.

11. The hearing officer shall prepare a written report of the hearing, which shall include findings, conclusions, decisions, and appropriate recommendations. The decision shall specify the reasons for the decision, identify the supporting evidence, identify pertinent regulations, and respond to reasoned arguments made by the individual or representative.

12. If the individual is found to have committed an IPV, the written decision shall advise the individual that disqualification shall occur.

Upon receipt of the notice of a decision from the hearing officer finding that the individual committed an IPV, the local department shall inform the individual of the reason for the disqualification and the date the disqualification will take effect.