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.1 Interview Required Prior to Granting Aid
.11 A face-to-face, telephonic, or electronic interview with the applicant is required prior to the granting of aid. For the home visit requirement in CalWORKs, see Section 40-161.
.111 "Face-to-face" means that the individual is physically present.
.112 For purposes of this section, telephonic interview shall be classified as a form of electronic interview. Electronic interviews shall be limited to audio or video conferencing where the CWDs are able to hear or see the individual(s) being interviewed.
.113 A County Welfare Department (CWD) that chooses the telephonic or other electronic interview option may continue to conduct face-to-face interviews on a case-by-case basis, if the CWD determines it is best practice for working with and assisting families in receiving assistance quickly. CalWORKs application interview requirements must be followed regardless of how the interview is conducted.
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.114 CWDs electing to conduct telephonic or electronic interviews shall submit an electronic interviewing plan in writing to the CDSS prior to implementation. The plan must include a set of procedures for conducting interviews in a manner that ensures that applicants whose interviews are conducted telephonically or electronically are provided with the same information as applicants whose interviews are conducted face- to-face.
.115 Telephonic or electronic interviews shall occur within seven working days after the time of the application, unless the applicant has been determined eligible for an Immediate Need Interview, pursuant to Section 40-129.4, or when there are extenuating circumstances which justify further delays.
.116 CWDs shall conduct a face-to-face interview in lieu of an interview through telephonic or other electronic means if requested by an applicant.
.12 For any applicant who chooses to apply for both CalWORKs and CalFresh, as specified in Section 40-107(a)(6)(B), the CWD shall conduct a single interview for both programs. CalWORKs applicants shall not be required to see a different eligibility worker or otherwise be subjected to two interview requirements to obtain the benefits of both programs.
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.121 Following the single interview, the application may be processed by separate workers to determine the eligibility and benefit levels for CalWORKs and CalFresh.
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.2 Inability of Applicant to Participate in Interview
When the applicant's appropriate Statement of Facts is to be completed on his/her behalf by a guardian, conservator, or other person as provided in Section 40-128, the application interview must be with such guardian, conservator, or other person and also with the applicant unless the applicant is unable to participate because of his/her physical or mental condition or is a child in foster care. The applicant's inability to participate in the interview must be determined by the county through personal contact with the applicant. Such personal contact is required before aid is authorized. See Section 40-161 for the home visit requirements in CalWORKs.
.3 Content of Application Interview
The application interview shall include discussion of the following as pertinent:
(a) The meaning of the eligibility requirements for both cash grant and medical assistance.
(b) The applicant's responsibility for reporting all facts and for notifying the county immediately of all changes of circumstances material to a correct determination of eligibility and grant.
(c) The joint responsibility which the county and the applicant have for exploring all the facts concerning eligibility, needs and income, and the circumstances under which the applicant will be held responsible for presenting records or documents in his possession to support his statements.
This includes the circumstances under which the applicant will be asked to secure statements of their earnings and deductions from their employers and to report both to the county.
(d) The confidential nature of all information disclosed to the CWD including circumstances under which information may be released to law enforcement officials. See Section 19-004.4.
(e) The kinds of evidence which may be needed to establish eligibility. (See Section 40-157.)
(f) The fact that an investigation may be undertaken with the full knowledge and consent of the applicant.
(g) The purpose and provisions of appropriate public social service programs. (See Services Regulations.)
(h) The availability of appropriate services and resources within the agency, including family planning (See Section 40-107(f)(2)).
(i) The availability of assistance or service under some other program either public or private if the needed assistance or service cannot be met by the county department.
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(j) The right to request a state hearing in relation to any action or inaction of the county, including a verbal explanation, in a manner and language which the applicant understands, of the nature of the state hearing process.
(k) The purpose, provision, and availability of early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment services for children under the Child Health Disability Prevention (CHDP) program.
(l) The responsibility of a parent to support his or her children and the right of the parent or caretaker relative living with the child for whom aid is requested to claim exemption from the cooperation requirements as provided in Section 82-512. The law requires as conditions of eligibility:
(1) the assignment of accrued spousal and child support rights for himself or herself and for all children required to be in the AU, and that the receipt of public assistance operates as an automatic assignment unless there is a written refusal to assign such rights; and
(2) cooperation in the identification and location of the absent parent, establishment of paternity, and establishment and enforcement of the support obligation unless exempted in accordance with the provisions of Section 82-512.
(m) The furnishing of the Social Security Number (SSN) is a condition of eligibility required by 42 U.S.C. Section 1320b-7(a)(1) of the Social Security Act, and that the SSN will be utilized in the administration of the CalWORKs Program.
(n) The fact that information regarding his/her eligibility will be requested through the automated Income and Eligibility Verification System (IEVS) and will be used to aid in determining their eligibility for assistance.
(o) The applicant's responsibility to apply for and take all appropriate steps to obtain specific benefits for which he/she appears to be potentially eligible.
(p) Reserved
(q) Repealed by Manual Letter No. EAS-24-02 effective 7/24/24
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(r) The availability of transitional child care benefits and transitional Medi-Cal benefits for recipients who are discontinued from CalWORKs due to certain employment-related circumstances.
(1) The county shall be permitted to discuss this information either at application or at time of approval.
(s) The availability of program activities and supportive services of the WTW Program for which applicants and recipients may be eligible. (See Sections 40-107(a)(6) and (a)(7).)
(t) The actions which constitute an IPV and the penalties to be applied to an individual who committed an IPV.
(u) At application and each annual redetermination, applicants/recipients shall receive an informing notice regarding the availability of Stage One child care (see Section 47-301.2).
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(v) Reserved
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(w) The applicant's responsibility for identifying and providing information about third parties who may be liable for medical care and services.
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(x) The applicant's responsibility, as specified in Section 40-105.4(c), to secure age-appropriate immunizations for all children in the AU under the age of six. Applicants shall also be informed of any county-specific immunization requirements. This informing shall include but is not limited to the criteria for what constitutes good cause.
(y) The requirement that all school-age children in the AU must regularly attend school as specified in Section 40-105.5(a). Applicants shall also be informed of any county-specific school attendance requirements. This informing shall include but is not limited to: what constitutes irregular school attendance, the criteria for what constitutes good cause, time frames for complying, and the penalties for not complying.
(z) See Section 42-715 for instructions in handling the discussion of domestic abuse in the application interview process.
NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 10553, 10554, 10604, and 18904, Welfare and Institutions Code. Reference: Sections 10613, 11052.5, 11209, 11253.5, 11265.8, 11268(a), 11323.3, 11324.8(a), 11495.1 and 11500, Welfare and Institutions Code; 7 U.S.C. 2020(i), 7 CFR 273.2(j), 42 U.S.C. 616, and 1320b-7(a)(1), 45 CFR 205.52(a)(1), and Section 301(a)(1)(A) and (B) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-193): California's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families State Plan dated October 9, 1996 and effective November 26, 1996; Assembly Bill 1542 (Chapter 270, Statutes of 1997).