Interviews 430-05-20-45

(Revised 07/01/05 ML2972)

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All applicant households, including those submitting applications by mail, must have face-to-face interviews with a worker prior to initial certification. An interview must be conducted at the food stamp office or other mutually acceptable location (including a household’s residence – this must be scheduled in advance). The primary purpose of interviewing an applicant is to obtain and furnish information. The interview must be conducted as an official and confidential discussion of household circumstances. The applicant’s right to privacy must be protected during the interview. Facilities must be adequate to preserve the privacy and confidentiality of the interview.

 

The individual interviewed may be the head of household, spouse, any other responsible member of the household, or an authorized representative. The worker must review the information that appears on the application, explore and resolve inconsistent and incomplete information.

 

Households must be advised of their rights and responsibilities during the interview, including the appropriate processing timeframes and the household’s responsibility to report changes.

 

Households that are applying for or receiving TANF must be advised that time limits and other requirements that apply to TANF do not apply to Food Stamps. These households must also be advised that they may still be eligible for Food Stamps if they are no longer receiving TANF because they have reached the TANF time limit, have begun working or for other reasons.

 

Workers, during the interview, must inquire about any changes in household circumstances between the time the application was completed and the time of the interview.

 

Changes occurring after the interview but before the date of the notice of eligibility must be reported by the household within 10 days of the date of the notice of eligibility. If a household reports a change after the interview but prior to the application being processed, the change must be acted on.

1. The worker must also:

• Document the date the application was filed by recording on the application the date it was received by the county.
• Document the date the interview was conducted and the name of the individual interviewed on the application.  
• Examine and explore each section of the application with the household or its authorized representative.

(1)  If the application is incomplete, assist the household in completing the form.

(2)  Ensure that the application is completed and signed.

4. If the household has not designated an authorized representative, explain to the household the functional capacity of the authorized representative and allow them the opportunity to designate someone.
5. The worker must remain flexible, avoid biases, be sincerely interested in people, and be sensitive to their individual circumstances.

2. The worker must keep in mind an interview is not:

1. a criminal investigation.
2. a counseling session.
3. an interrogation.

 

Success in interviewing is attained by discovering, mastering, and integrating proper habits, skills, and techniques appropriate to accomplishing the intended purpose of the interview.