Department of Human Services: Chapter 1: Sections 1.1 thru 1.3 Page 2

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Each applicant/recipient has the right to be informed verbally and in writing of his/her rights, obligations, responsibilities, potential risks, and penalties under these benefit programs.
Each applicant/recipient has a right to privacy. Information unrelated to the eligibility process cannot be requested by the Agency.
All information regarding an applicant/recipient shall be used only for determining and administering benefits and shall be safeguarded against disclosure without prior authorization by the applicant/recipient or his/her legal representative, except as noted in Section 3.5: Confidentiality and Disclosure of Information in this Part.
Each applicant/recipient has a right to have information collected kept private by the Department. Data collected and maintained by District agencies is private, unless specifically classified otherwise by law. Although this data is considered private, applicants/recipients or representatives may review private records which contain data or information on them. Private or public data must actually be shown to the subject of the data and not summarized. Data on two or more people maintained in a common file because of family relationships are 'joint records'. Delete material in joint records about the person not requesting the review to protect that person's privacy. Parents may view records of their minor children, unless the agency decides that the request is not in the best interests of the children. Provide copies of original documents when requested by the subject of the data or the subject's authorized representative.

Each applicant/recipient has the right to examine his/her case record. The Department will provide his/her case record for examination by the applicant/recipient during normal business hours, or the Department will make copies available at the cost of reproduction. The Department may withhold confidential information about the applicant/recipient obtained without his/her knowledge, confidential information about other individuals contained within the household's shared case record, or information on the nature and status of pending criminal prosecutions. However, all information that forms the basis of an adverse action must be released.
The public has the right to examine handbooks, manuals, and supplemental instructions issued by the Department concerning the administration of IMA programs and policies. The Department will make these documents available within ten days of the date of request for examination by the public during normal business hours.
Each applicant/recipient has the right to be represented by or accompanied and assisted by an individual of his/her choice in all contacts with the Department, including during application, eligibility determination, recertification/redetermination, administrative review, and fair hearing.
Each applicant/recipient has the right to appeal any action or decision made by the Department, and each individual has the right to have an administrative review or a fair hearing regarding any action or decision made by the Department.
Each applicant/recipient who has received an adverse fair hearing decision regarding the receipt of benefits has the right to request a judicial review.
An individual does not forfeit or compromise any of these rights by applying for benefits, receiving benefits, requesting a fair hearing or administrative review, requesting a judicial review, or reporting discriminatory or unfair practices.