Appeals and State Hearings (ASH)

The Appeals and State Hearings Section is responsible for reviewing the appropriateness of Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Social Services’ action/inaction taken or not taken on an applicant or customer’s case involving CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, IHSS, CAPI, and GR Interim Assistance. If the County did not follow the required procedures, ASH resolves the issue with the customer without the need for a State hearing. If the County acted properly, ASH presents the County’s position to an Administrative Law Judge at the State hearing.

ASH Mission

To carry out the federal and State mandates, guaranteeing applicants and recipients of public assistance the right to a fair and unbiased hearing.

Right to a State Hearing

You have the right to file a request for a State hearing if your benefits have been denied, terminated or reduced unfairly. A request for a State hearing must be filed within 90 days after the date of the action or inaction. If the County fails to send you a notice of action, the 90-day time does not run out and a State hearing can be requested at any time.

Apply On-Line with BenefitsCal

The easiest and quickest way is to apply online at BenefitsCal.

Apply By Phone

You can apply by phone. Call the Customer Service Center (CSC) (866) 613-3777 to have an application mailed to you.

Apply In Person

You can apply In person at any Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) District Office or outreach site.

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you file an adequate hearing request before the effective date of

the County’s action, aid may be continued at the same level in most

cases. At the hearing, the Administrative Law Judge may order the

continuation of your Aid Paid Pending until the hearing decision is

rendered if Aid Paid Pending was originally denied. Aid Paid

Pending is initiated within 5 days from the filing date of the

appeal and issued within your normal benefit issuance date.

When the action taken by Los Angeles County is incorrect, it can be

remedied by a conditional withdrawal. Once the review of the

action is completed by the Appeals Hearing Specialist, they will

inform you and if you agree to the terms of the correction, a

conditional withdrawal can be agreed upon. The County will

have 30 days to take the corrective action and a hearing will be

avoided.

The Statement of Position will be available to you two days before

the hearing date. If you would like a copy of the Statement of

Position, contact your Appeals Hearings Specialist to have it

mailed to you. The Statement of Position will also be online

on the Appeals Case Management System (ACMS),

www.acms.dss.ca.gov. This is the State's online filing system.

If none of these options are possible for you, you may pick it

up at the Appeals and State Hearings office by contacting your

Appeals Hearings Specialist.