The Department of Human Services is responsible for hearing appeals on any disputed matter relating to Families First eligibility and amount of grant and any Families First work requirement dispute including but not limited to a referral to Families First service providers, effective participation in Families First work requirements, whether good cause for failure to participate exists, and imposition of sanctions. These appeals will be conducted according to appeal procedures set forth in Chapter 1240-5 and Title 4, Chapter 5, Part 3 of the Administrative Procedures Act and which shall not be more narrow than those in existence on August 31, 1996.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-201, et seq., 4-5-202, 4-5-209, 4-5-301, et seq., 71-1-105, 71-3-152, 71-3-153, 71-3-154, and 71-3-158(d)(2)(D); 42 U.S.C. §§ 601 et seq. , 42 U.S.C. § 602, 42 U.S.C. § 607(c)(2)(C), 42 U.S.C. § 607(c), (d)(1) through (12) and (e), 42 U.S.C. § 608, 42 U.S.C. § 608(a)(4) and 42 U.S.C. § 609; Public Acts of 1996, Chapter 950, Title 4, Chapter 5, Part 3, and 45 C.F.R. §§ 205.10 and 250.36, 45 C.F.R. 205.10, 45 C.F.R. § 260.30, 45 C.F.R. § 260.31, 45 C.F.R. § 261.2(b) through (m), 45 C.F.R. § 261.2(n), 45 C.F.R. § 261.10, 45 C.F.R. § 261.30, 45 C.F.R. § 261.31 and 45 C.F.R. § 261.32; Deficit Reduction Act 2005 (Pub. L. 109-171 §§ 7101 and 7102, February 8, 2006); 71 Federal Register 37454 (June 29, 2006) and Acts 2007, Chapter 31. Administrative History: Original rule filed December 2, 1996; effective February 15, 1997. Public necessity rule filed July 2, 2007; expired December 14, 2007. Amendment filed October 1, 2007; effective December 15, 2007.