(a) Not later than 30 days after FNS submits an answer in accordance with § 283.6, the State agency may submit rebuttal evidence.

(b) At any time prior to the filing of a motion for a hearing pursuant to § 283.15(b), the appeal petition or the answer may be amended without prior authorization by the ALJ. Thereafter, such an amendment may only be made as authorized by the ALJ upon a showing of cause.