Section 14.40  Consolidation of Appeals

a)         The Department may consolidate a number of individual appeals for the purpose of conducting a single group hearing if it is determined that all of the appeals involve the same issue or similar issues, and the only issues in question are the application of State or federal law or policy.

b)         An appellant may withdraw from the group and present an appeal individually if, in the judgment of the hearing officer, it is warranted by the circumstances.

c)         The Department may consolidate a number of appeals filed by the same individual into a single hearing.