(a) An applicant or participant may appeal a decision by the following methods:
  (1) The participant has the right to appeal to the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS), at which time a hearing will take place. The request for a hearing must be made within 10 days of the contractor's decision. Final administrative action must be taken within 60 days of the date of request for the hearing.
  (2) An applicant or participant may follow the internal appeal procedures of the contractor.
  (3) An applicant or participant may have the appeal forwarded to a statewide review board comprised of representatives from refugee service providers. The request for review by the review board must be made within four days of the contractor's decision. The review board must begin reviewing the request within 10 days of the contractor's decision. The review process may not exceed 30 days from the date of the contractor's decision.
(b) A participant may appeal to DHS for a hearing and attempt resolution through steps in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection simultaneously.

Source Note: The provisions of this §375.417 adopted to be effective July 18, 2002, 27 TexReg 6326; transferred effective October 1, 2003, as published in the Texas Register July 2, 2004, 29 TexReg 6359