Right Column
Choosing Documents and Other Evidence to Bring to Your Hearing
Before your hearing, it is a good idea to start gathering documents and other evidence that you might want to take to your hearing. The items you chose may include bills, letters, documents, notices, receipts, records, reports, or any other physical evidence.
Choose items that are relevant to the issues and/or facts to be discussed at your hearing. Relevant items have something to do with the issues and/or facts and may make a difference in the outcome of your hearing.
To identify the issues and facts important to your hearing, look at the Notice of Action for the reason(s) the county took the action that led to your hearing request (e.g., denied your application, stopped your benefits, computed an overpayment). You may also ask the county representative.
This chart lists examples of items which might be relevant to the Issue and/or Fact listed to the left. This chart is not a complete list of all relevant types of evidence.
| Examples of Relevant Evidence | |
|---|---|
| Issues and/or Facts | Types of Evidence |
| deductions | wage stubs bills and receipts showing medical expenses (including health insurance and medical transportation) bills and receipts for attendant and child care bills and receipts for school tuition and fees disaster and casualty losses |
| disability, incapacity, or other medical issues | medical reports, hospital records, doctor’s notes written statements from doctors, psychologists, medical clinics, or hospitals about your medical condition. |
| living expenses | bills and receipts showing the amount you pay for housing and utilities (including telephone) rental or lease agreements |
| income | wage stubs award letters showing how much you receive from Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, Veterans Benefits and/or student financial aid court records about court-ordered support payments union or welfare funds records showing your income from rental property, stocks, bonds, boarders, roomers, relatives, or payments made on your behalf, including gifts |
| personal property | bankbooks, insurance policies, automobile ownership slips, stocks, bonds, notes, and contracts |
| real property | tax receipts, deeds, contracts, and mortgages |
If a county contends you and your family are not eligible for cash aid because there is no basis for deprivation of your child(ren), you may bring the following types of evidence to your hearing:
- If a county contends a parent is not absent from the home, you may ask neighbors, relatives, friends or others who know about your family’s living situation to testify at your hearing or to give you written statements to bring to your hearing. You may also want to bring any court papers concerning your dissolution, divorce, annulment, or legal separation.
- If a county contends you (or your spouse) are not incapacitated, you may bring medical records, reports and written statements from doctors, psychologists, medical clinics, or hospitals about your medical condition.
- If a county contends your family does not meet the rules for receiving cash aid based on unemployment, you may bring the following evidence to your hearing:
- information about your employment history (list the places where you have worked, the dates you worked and the earnings you received)
- written statements from people or companies where you have applied for work
- information about unemployment insurance benefits or GAIN benefits you received for work performed