1. a) For General Assistance outside the city of Chicago, the appeal process is initiated by filing a written, signed request with the Public Aid Committee.
2. b) For all other appeals, the appeal process is initiated by either:
3. 1) filing a written, signed request with the Assistance Hearings Section;
4. 2) filing a written, signed request with the respective local office; or

5. 3) telephoning a request to the Assistance Hearings Section's tollfree number for filing appeals.

   1. c) For purposes of initiating the appeal process, a facsimile of a written, signed request for a fair hearing is considered the same as the original written, signed request.
   2. d) A food stamp appeal may also be initiated by an oral request to the Department.

(Source: Amended at 20 Ill. Reg. 14891, effective November 1, 1996)