Section 220.512  Postponement of Hearing

a)         A Hearing may be postponed or continued for a reasonable period at the discretion of the Department or area agency on aging, as appropriate, for good cause shown.  Death in the family, illness, prior engagement by counsel or representative, or other sudden and unexpected emergencies shall be considered good cause for postponement or continuance of a hearing.

1)         A request for the postponement or continuance of the hearing can be made either prior to or at the hearing.  Requests for postponement made prior to the hearing must be made in writing.

2)         The filing of a written request for postponement or continuance shall not preclude the appellant and/or his representative from making a request to the Hearing Officer at the hearing for postponement or continuance.

3)         If the request for continuance or postponement is granted, the parties to the appeal shall be notified of the new date, time and place by Registered Mail:  Return Receipt Requested.

b)         The applicable time period for completion of a hearing shall be extended by the time of any continuance or postponement granted.