Current through September 17, 2024
Interviews may be conducted in person or by telephone.
Interviews may be conducted at a mutually acceptable location, other than just
the household's home, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program office.
Households must have an interview at initial application and may be required at
recertification. An applicant may request and receive a face-to-face interview.
A face-to-face interview is held if the household requests one or if the
Department determines a face-to-face interview is necessary.
002.01
SCHEDULING
INTERVIEWS. The interview is scheduled as soon as possible to
ensure that eligible households receive an opportunity to participate within 30
days after the application is filed.
002.01(A)
MISSED INTERVIEW. If a household fails to appear for
the first interview, the household is notified in writing that they missed the
scheduled interview. The household is responsible for rescheduling the missed
interview. If the household contacts the local office within 30 days after the
application filing date, a second interview is scheduled.
002.02
SITE OF AND ATTENDANCE OF
INTERVIEWS. Interviews may be conducted by telephone or at the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program office or another mutually agreed
upon location, including a household's residence. If the interview will be
conducted at the household's residence, it must be scheduled in advance with
the household. The head of household, the individual's spouse, another
responsible household member or an authorized representative must participate
in the interview.
002.03
CONFIDENTIALITY OF INTERVIEWS. The applicant's right
to privacy is protected during the interview, and information provided during
the interview remains confidential.
002.04
CONTENT OF
INTERVIEW. During the interview, the individual will be asked to
explain any unclear or incomplete information. The individual will receive
explanation of:
(A) The application
process;
(B) The household's
rights, including the right to appeal and the method of filing an
appeal;
(C) The penalty warning on
the application including the penalties for intentional program
violation;
(D) The work
requirements, including Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents work
requirements, if applicable; and
(E) The household's responsibility to:
(i) Comply with all requirements;
(ii) Notify the worker of the changes
required to be reported; and
(iii)
Cooperate with quality control reviews and audits.
(F) If the household is also applying for or
receiving public assistance through other programs, the other programs'
benefits time limits and other public assistance related requirements do not
apply to the receipt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
Households that cease receiving public assistance benefits because they have
reached a time limit, have begun working, or for other reasons may still
qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
benefits.
002.05
RECERTIFICATION INTERVIEW. Interview requirements for
recertification applications include:
(A) For
households assigned a 6 month certification period, an interview is only
required once in a 12 month period. If an interview was not completed at the
most recent recertification, an interview is required;
(B) For households assigned to a 12 month
certification period, or that will be assigned to a 12 month certification
period at the time of the recertification, an interview may not be required at
recertification. An interview will still be conducted if there are any
outstanding issues or questions about the recertification process;
(C) For recertification applications received
by the Department after the end of the certification period, an interview is
required;
(D) For households
recertifying to the Simplified Reporting Category due to the Transitional
Reporting Category certification period ending or closing, an interview will be
required;
(E) For all
recertifications in which an interview may not be required, an interview will
be conducted upon request of the household;
(F) If the Department determines there is
insufficient information to be able to reasonably recertify the household with
the appropriate benefits without an interview; or
(G) Prior to denying any household that had a
12 month Simplified Reporting Category certification period for their most
recent certification period.
