After your hearing, the judge, sometimes called a hearing officer, has 10 working days to write a decision. You must get the decision no more than 80 days after you appealed.^[1]§ 4712.5(a). Unless, the deadlines were extended if you requested more time during the appeal process, this is called a “continuance.” 

The hearing officer’s decision must:

• Be written in simple, everyday language
• Include a summary of the facts
• Name the evidence the hearing officer used to make the decision^[2]§ 4712.5(b).
• Include a decision on every issue or question in the hearing request and presented during the hearing
• State the laws, regulations, and policies that support the hearing officer’s decision.

The DDS Director may review some hearing decisions and decide to make changes to the decision before it is final. The Director’s decision is made within 90 days of the date your appeal was received.

The hearing decision will be in your preferred language. You will also get a copy in English.