- Identify the decision
- Review records
- Explore options
- Seek help
Quick answer
A confusing explanation, missing service, delayed response, or decision you disagree with may call for clarification, supervisory review, mediation, or a hearing. Which route fits depends on the issue and your state.
Mediation is a voluntary process in which an impartial person helps the parties seek agreement. A fair or due-process hearing is a formal review of a disputed agency determination. Informal discussion does not automatically replace or extend a filing deadline.
What to do
Identify the exact decision or action, the notice date, and when you received it.
Write the question or problem in a few sentences and request an explanation if needed.
Gather the plan, notice, correspondence, and records that directly address the issue.
State the specific correction or next action you are asking the agency to take.
Check the state’s current review procedure, deadline, recipient, and submission method. Preserve proof of anything actually filed or served.
Check the response and whether an agreed or ordered action was implemented.
California: use Department of Rehabilitation review routes
The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) describes discussion with the counselor or supervisor, administrative review, mediation, and fair hearings. An administrative review asks supervisory staff to examine the issue; it is different from a hearing before an impartial officer.
DOR generally describes a one-year administrative-review request period, and a 30-calendar-day hearing-request period after receipt of a written administrative-review decision. Other rules may apply depending on the decision you are challenging and the steps already taken. Check the official instructions promptly rather than assuming the longer period applies.
Nevada: follow Nevada’s request rules
Nevada’s regulations generally allow 60 days after notice of the decision to request a hearing and 30 days for the specified alternate dispute-resolution or mediation route. Do not use California’s periods for a Nevada matter.
A late request or extension requires the applicable legal basis and decision; do not assume a conversation, intake request, or pending question preserves the deadline.
Keep support and procedural steps separate
Contacting the Client Assistance Program (CAP), preparing a worksheet, or asking me for help does not file a request, prove receipt, establish representation, or extend a deadline. CAP assistance depends on its scope and capacity. Court review requires separate legal advice and procedures.
Federal rules protect certain services already being provided during covered review processes, subject to specified exceptions. That protection does not automatically approve a new requested service. Ask promptly how it applies to the action at issue.
Background, examples & sources
A fictional example
An approved technology service has not started. The person gathers the authorization and messages, asks which implementation step is missing, and requests a specific update. If the agency issues an adverse determination, they separately check its review instructions. A request, an agreement, and delivered equipment remain different events.
Keep the smallest useful set together
- The notice or disputed decision and evidence of receipt.
- Relevant plan provisions and authorizations.
- A short chronology and the key supporting documents.
- Your requested remedy, any actual submission, and the response.
Get help with the next step
Use the free official/CAP directory to reach independent support. The detailed state guides and preparation tools remain free whether or not you use my personalized services.
Official information
- 34 CFR 361.57: review, mediation, hearings and continued services (Federal regulation)
- California: dispute resolution (Official agency guidance)
- California: administrative review (Official agency guidance)
- California: fair hearings (Official agency guidance)
- Nevada NAC 615: review deadlines and hearings (Nevada regulation)
Last source review: 2026-10-10 · Current primary sources reviewed for this introductory scope; individual eligibility and services require agency decisions
Federal text: eCFR Title 34 displayed current through October 8, 2026. Primary sources substantively reviewed October 10, 2026. State agency information, where used, can change, including application routes and waiting-list status.
Your next step
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