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Representation and Interpretive Services <br />The family is entitled to be represented by an attorney or other designee, at the family's expense, <br />and to have such person make statements on the family's behalf. <br />The family is entitled to arrange for an interpreter to attend the hearing, at the expense of the <br />family, or SAHA, as may be agreed upon by the two parties. <br />Recording of the Hearing <br />The family is entitled to have the hearing recorded by audiotape. SAHA may, but is not required <br />to provide a transcript of the hearing. <br />SAHA Policy <br />SAHA will not provide a transcript or copy of an audio taped hearing. <br />Hearing Decision <br />SAHA must provide the family with a written final decision, based solely on the facts presented <br />at the hearing, within 14 calendar days of the date of the informal hearing. The decision must <br />state the basis for the decision. <br />Informal Hearing Procedures for Residents [24 CFR 5.514(f)] <br />After notification of the USCIS decision on appeal, or in lieu of an appeal to the USCIS, the <br />family may request that SAHA provide a hearing. The request for a hearing must be made either <br />within 30 days of receipt of SAHA notice of termination, or within 30 days of receipt of the <br />USCIS appeal decision. <br />For the informal hearing procedures that apply to participant families whose assistance is being <br />terminated based on immigration status, see Section 16-III.C. <br />Retention of Documents [24 CFR 5.514(h)] <br />SAHA must retain for a minimum of 5 years the following documents that may have been <br />submitted to SAHA by the family, or provided to SAHA as part of the USCIS appeal or SAHA <br />informal hearing process: <br />• The application for assistance <br />• The form completed by the family for income reexamination <br />• Photocopies of any original documents, including original USCIS documents <br />• The signed verification consent form <br />• The USCIS verification results <br />• The request for a USCIS appeal <br />• The final USCIS determination <br />• The request for an informal hearing <br />• The final informal hearing decision <br />4-51 <br />