If your childcare assistance is denied or terminated and you believe the decision was wrong, you can appeal. The process has two steps: a Request for Review and, if needed, a Request for Hearing. You have the right to be represented at every stage.

When You Can Appeal

You can file a Request for Review when EEC or your CCR&R:

• Denies your childcare assistance
• Terminates your childcare assistance
• Assesses a parent fee you believe is incorrect
• Acts or fails to act in a way that violates EEC policy
• Imposes a sanction (IPV or disqualification)

You cannot use this process to challenge the fairness of a law or regulation itself — only whether it was applied correctly in your situation.

What's not eligible for EEC appeal:

• Denial of a variance request
• Denial of Incapacity of Parent request (reviewed under variance policy)
• Denial for failing to submit reauthorization documentation on time

Step 1: Request for Review

Filing

• Submit a written, signed, and dated Request for Review to EEC within 30 days of the notice
• A Request for Review form should have been included with your denial or termination notice — if you didn't receive one, contact your CCR&R or check EEC's website
• The form must be completed in full to be considered valid
• You can submit by mail or email

Evidence

• You may submit documents, receipts, or other evidence supporting your case
• All evidence must be received by EEC within 14 days of submitting your Request for Review

What Happens Next

1. Within 7 days of receiving your request, the EEC Review Officer notifies your CCR&R and asks for their evidence
2. Your CCR&R has 7 days to submit their evidence
3. The Review Officer reviews everything from both sides
4. Within 60 days of receiving your request, the Review Officer issues a written decision — upholding, reversing, or modifying the original decision

If You Win

The decision is implemented according to the timelines in the decision.

If You Lose

You can appeal further by requesting a hearing (Step 2 below). If you don't appeal, the Review Officer's decision becomes EEC's final agency decision.

Step 2: Request for Hearing (Informal Hearing)

If you disagree with the Review Officer's decision, you can escalate.

Filing

• Submit a written, signed, and dated Request for Hearing to EEC's General Counsel within 14 days of the Review Officer's decision
• The request must state the grounds for your appeal
• A late filing may result in denial of a hearing

The Hearing

• EEC's Hearing Officer will notify you of the date, time, and place
• The hearing is held at EEC's Central Office, or may be held virtually or at a regional office if you request it (especially if you have a disability or transportation difficulty)
• You may bring a representative (anyone you choose — this can be a lawyer, legal aid advocate, friend, or family member)
• You may also waive the hearing and submit your case in writing only
• EEC has the burden of proof — they must show their decision was correct

Decision

• Within 60 days of the hearing, the Hearing Officer issues a written decision
• This is EEC's final agency decision for legal purposes

After the Hearing

If you still disagree, you can appeal to superior court under M.G.L. c. 30A. You can also request a stay of the decision from EEC's General Counsel while the court appeal is pending.

Continuation of Services During Appeal

If your services are being terminated (not an initial denial), you can often keep your childcare running during the entire appeal process — both the review and the hearing — if you:

1. File your Request for Review before the termination date (this is the 14-day window from the termination notice)
2. Keep all undisputed fee payments current throughout the process
3. Ensure your child continues attending care per attendance policies

If your services were denied at initial authorization: You are not eligible for continued services during appeal.

DTA and DCF Appeals Are Different

• DTA denials/terminations of referrals → Appeal through the DTA Fair Hearing Process
• DCF denials/terminations of referrals → Appeal through the DCF Fair Hearing Process

These are separate from EEC's review process. Your CCR&R can provide information about the correct process.

Your Right to Representation

At every stage — Request for Review, Hearing, and beyond — you may be represented by a person of your choosing. This could be a lawyer, a legal aid advocate, a friend, or a family member.

If you cannot afford legal representation, contact:

• Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS)
• Your local legal aid organization
• Ask your CCR&R for referrals to legal help

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Next Steps

• Just received a termination notice? File your Request for Review today — before the termination date
• Need the form? It should have come with your notice — if not, check EEC's website or ask your CCR&R
• Need legal help? Contact Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) or call your CCR&R for legal aid referrals
• Already filed and waiting? Make sure you keep fee payments current and your child keeps attending
• DTA or DCF issue? You may need to file through their hearing process instead — ask your CCR&R which process applies