Generally, class certification is inappropriate where governmental operations are concerned, since any relief granted to an individual petitioner challenging a governmental operation will adequately flow to others similarly situated under principles of stare decisis ( Matter of Martin v Lavine, 39 NY2d 72, 75). We find no reason to depart from this general rule in this matter, as petitioners made no showing that members of the proposed class were unable to protect their rights by following the administrative procedures providing for fair hearings with "aid continuing" pending a decision on the hearing ( cf., Varshavsky v Perales, 202 AD2d 155). Indeed, petitioners have not satisfactorily shown that their grievances were part of an ongoing and continuing problem which was likely to result in similar harm to others. Instead, it appears clear from the record that petitioners were caught in an unfortunate but temporary situation of administrative confusion created when the Child Welfare Administration (now the Administration for Child Services) of the New York City Human Resources Administration determined to change its policy for renewing authorizations for homemaking services pursuant to 18 NYCRR 460.2.
Furthermore, the record makes clear that the proposed class representatives in this case did subsequently receive the notice they originally contended had not been provided, did receive fair hearings and did receive "aid continuing" until the issuance of the fair hearing decision ( 18 NYCRR 358-3.6).
Under these circumstances, certification of a class was not appropriate. Insofar as the action was brought on behalf of the named petitioners, it is moot.