Pratt v. Department of Social Welfare

Earline Pratt appeals a decision of the Human Services Board (Board) denying her eligibility for medicaid benefits. The Vermont Department of Social Welfare (Department) had originally denied her application for benefits, and Mrs. Pratt then requested a hearing. The Board held a “fair hearing,” 3 V.S.A. § 3090 (b), which was conducted by a hearing officer. 3 V.S.A. § 3091 (b), (c). At issue is whether the Board was correct in concluding that Mrs. Pratt was not disabled under the relevant medicaid regulation, and, more fundamentally, whether the Board committed error when its determination of…