Deadlines and submission channels are jurisdiction-specific
The federal rule provides minimum protections, but the state, territory, tribal, or local agency tells you where and how to file and exchange evidence.
Notice and filing proof
- Complete adverse-action notice and attachments
- Envelope, portal timestamp, email, or delivery record
- Copy of the hearing request
- Confirmation, receipt, fax report, certified-mail record, or secure-message proof
- Calendar showing hearing, evidence, accommodation, and later-review deadlines
Agency record
- Application or recertification information relevant to the dispute
- Appointment and missed-appointment records
- Income, residence, category, and nutrition-risk documents relied on by the agency
- Benefit issuance or repayment calculations
- Policies, worksheets, or notes supporting the decision
Your evidence
- A one-page timeline of important dates and contacts
- Corrected records or documents that address the stated reason
- Relevant medical, growth, pregnancy, feeding, or nutrition information
- Messages showing attempts to attend, reschedule, provide documents, or ask questions
- A short explanation of the decision you want changed and why
Witnesses and representation
- Name and contact information for each person with direct knowledge
- What each witness personally observed
- Representative authorization required by the agency, if any
- Questions for agency witnesses or staff
- Legal-aid or advocacy contact when the dispute has significant consequences
Accessibility and hearing logistics
- Date, time, time zone, location, telephone number, or video link
- Interpreter request
- Disability accommodation request
- Childcare, transportation, phone, internet, battery, and quiet-location plan
- Instructions for postponement or good-cause nonappearance
During and after the hearing
- Refer to documents by title and date
- Answer from personal knowledge and say when you do not know
- Ask to respond to evidence or testimony you dispute
- Record any post-hearing submission deadline
- Read the written decision and calendar the next review deadline immediately
- Confirm whether benefits, recertification, repayment, or another agency action changes
Official sources
- 7 CFR 246.9 — WIC fair hearing procedures
- FNA — fair hearing procedures resource
- FNA — find the WIC agency for your location