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SNAP CERTIFICATION MANUAL – SECTION 8000 8200 The Application Interview 8000 Initial Application Process

8230 Scheduling Interviews SNAP Manual 05/01/2022 An interview must be scheduled upon receipt of an application unless an interview is completed on the same day the application is filed. All interviews must be scheduled as quickly as possible. Eligible households must be given an opportunity to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) within thirty (30) days. Therefore, interviews should be scheduled no later than twenty (20) calendar days from the date of application. When this is not possible, the interview should be scheduled at the first available appointment time. If a household fails to appear for a scheduled interview, no additional interviews will be scheduled unless requested by the household.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) county office may not deny a household’s application prior to the thirtieth day after the date of application if the household fails to appear for the first scheduled interview. If the household requests a second interview during the thirty (30) application-processing period and is determined eligible, the household’s benefits must be calculated from the application date. See SNAP 8520.

8240 Conducting Interviews SNAP Manual 05/01/2022 At a minimum, an interview of an applicant must cover the topics and complete the actions listed below: 1. The agency must assist applicants in completing the application if necessary. 2. The agency must review the information on the application with the applicant and resolve any unclear or inconsistent information. 3. The applicant must be advised that Social Security numbers (SSN) or applications for an SSN must be declared and verified for all household members included in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) case. The use of the SSN will also be explained. See SNAP 2100. 4. Applicants must be advised of their right to a confidential interview. 5. Applicants must be advised of their rights and responsibilities. This includes their rights under the Privacy Act that restrict the release of information in the case record to the conditions specified (SNAP 530), their right to review the contents of their case record (SNAP 540) their right to an administrative hearing (SNAP 16300), and their responsibility to cooperate during the interview and certification process. A