<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" citation="COMAR 07.03.10.08" title_num="07" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="10" heading="Disqualification Penalties.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Food Supplement Program and Family Investment Programs.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An individual who has waived the right to an administrative hearing, or was found to have committed an intentional program violation, is ineligible to participate in the specified Program, as described in §B of this regulation and COMAR 07.03.03.19.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The disqualification period begins for Food Supplement and Family Investment Program, with the first month following the month in which the household receives written notification of the disqualification.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Once a disqualification penalty has been imposed, the period of disqualification continues uninterrupted until the disqualification period is completed.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>An individual disqualified for an IPV is ineligible for the following period of time:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>One year for the first violation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Two years for the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Second violation; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>First finding by a court of the trading of Program benefits for an illegal drug;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Permanently for the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Third violation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Second finding by a court of the trading of Program benefits for an illegal drug;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>First finding by a court of the trading of Program benefits for firearms, ammunition, or explosives; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>First finding by a court of trafficking Program benefits of $500 or more; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Ten years if an individual is found guilty of making a fraudulent statement or misrepresentation with respect to the individual’s identity or residence to receive multiple benefits at the same time.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The local department shall disqualify only the individual in the household found to have committed an IPV or who signed the waiver of the right to an administrative hearing.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The disqualification period begins with the first month following the month in which the individual receives written notification of the decision.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Once a disqualification penalty has been imposed, the:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Period of disqualification shall continue uninterrupted until completed regardless of the eligibility of the disqualified member’s household; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Disqualified member’s household shall continue to be responsible for the repayment of the overissuance resulting from the disqualified member’s IPV regardless of the household’s eligibility for program benefits.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>When an individual is disqualified, the local department shall send the household a demand letter for restitution. This letter shall inform the household of:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The amount owed;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The reason for the claim;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The period of time the claim covers;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Any offsetting done to reduce the claim;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The ways in which the claim may be paid;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The household’s right to a fair hearing if the household disagrees with the amount of the claim, except if the household already had a fair hearing on the amount of the claim as a result of consolidation of the administrative disqualification hearing with the fair hearing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>The household’s right to request renegotiation of any agreed to repayment schedule if the household’s economic circumstance change; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>The requirements to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Indicate by signature the household’s agreement to make restitution;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Select the method of repayment; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Return the repayment notice within 30 days of the date of the notice.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>The local department shall provide written notice:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Of the effective disqualification date to the household or assistance unit before imposing the sanction; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>To the remaining household members, if any:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Of the benefit they will receive during the period of disqualification; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>That they may reapply because the certification period has expired.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>An OAH finding of an intentional program violation may not be reversed by a subsequent OAH decision.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>When a household or assistance unit has been sanctioned, the local department shall send the assistance unit or household a demand letter for restitution which includes:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The amount owed;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The reason for the claim;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The period of time covered by the claim;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Any offsetting done to reduce the claim;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The ways in which the claim can be paid;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The right to a hearing if the household or assistance unit disagrees with the amount of the claim, unless the household or assistance unit has already had a hearing on the amount of the claim as a result of the consolidation of an administrative disqualification hearing with another hearing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>The right to request renegotiation of any repayment schedule if the household's or assistance unit's economic circumstances change; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>The requirement to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Sign the repayment notice to indicate agreement to make restitution;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Select the method of payment; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Return the repayment notice within 30 days of the date of the notice.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>