Opinion ID: 2506601
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Carla Allen's appeal

Text: After receiving the Agency's notice, Allen requested an administrative hearing. At the hearing, Allen argued that equitable estoppel should prevent the Agency from recouping the overpaid food stamps, and that the Agency's notice to her did not comply with federal regulations. The hearing officer rejected both of these arguments, holding that equitable estoppel is not available as a defense in food stamp overpayment cases and that the notice to Allen met federal regulation requirements. Allen appealed the hearing officer's decision to the Director of Public Assistance, who upheld it. Allen then appealed to the superior court. In a written memorandum decision and order, Superior Court Judge Charles T. Huguelet affirmed the agency decision on both the equitable estoppel and the notice questions. The superior court looked to language in the Federal Register [3] and determined that Congress intended to preclude the defense of equitable estoppel under the Food Stamp Act. The superior court also decided that the Agency had provided sufficient notice to Allen under 7 C.F.R. § 273.18(e)(3)(iv). Allen then filed this appeal on both the equitable estoppel and the notice questions.