Terms Used In Tennessee Code 71-5-309

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Applicant: means any person who has applied for benefits under this part. See Tennessee Code 71-5-303
  • Area manager: means the director or manager of the county or area office of the department of human services. See Tennessee Code 71-5-303
  • Department: means the department of human services. See Tennessee Code 71-5-303
  • Recipient: means any person who has been determined to be eligible to receive benefits under this part and who has received such benefits. See Tennessee Code 71-5-303
  • written: includes printing, typewriting, engraving, lithography, and any other mode of representing words and letters. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105

If an application is not acted upon by the area manager or the area manager’s designated agent within a reasonable time after the filing of the application, or is denied in whole or in part, or if an award of food stamp assistance is modified or cancelled under any provisions of this part, the applicant or recipient may appeal to the department in the manner and form prescribed by the department, and shall be afforded reasonable notice and opportunity for a fair hearing by the department. Written notice of a right to a fair hearing shall be given to each applicant and recipient at such time as any action concerning the amount of benefits awarded to the individual is taken or at the time a decision is made on an applicant’s eligibility for such assistance.