Vermont advocates push for plain-language guides, clearer notices in Human Services Board fair hearings

Vermont Legal Aid's Disability Law Project told a legislative committee on H.92 that people with disabilities, and their families, face practical and procedural barriers when appealing state benefit denials or reductions to the Human Services Board (HSB) and urged the panel to require plain-language instructions, clearer hearing notices, and better pre-hearing exchanges.

The testimony, delivered by Kelly Kasmarski, director of the Disability Law Project at Vermont Legal Aid, and staff attorney Cammie Naylor, urged changes designed to make the HSB fair-hearing process usable by people who represent themselves and by parents and guardians who lack legal training.

The recommendations from Vermont Legal Aid center on three areas: revised plain-language materials for pro se appellants; clearer hearing notices that state the legal issue to be decided and list available accommodations; and earlier, more complete sharing of the administrative record and proposed exhibits so objections can be raised before a contested hearing.

"Appealing to the HSB is the only option available for someone who disagrees with a denial or reduction of services," Cammie…