Connecticut Department of Social Services Uniform Policy Manual: 1505.25P Application Process - Application Interviews

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF INCOME MAINTENANCEPRIVATE UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 7-1-87 Transmittal: UP-87-2 P-1505.25 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Eligibility Process PROCEDURES ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: AFDC The Application Process _______________________________________________________________ Subject: Application Interviews ______________________________________________________________________________

P-1505.25 Scheduling

1. Require AFDC and FS applicants to attend an office interview unless they are otherwise entitled to a waiver.

2. Make every attempt to complete the interview the same day entitlement to expedited service is determined.

3. As a general rule, if the interview is to be held at a later date, schedule the appointment within ten days of the date of application.

4. Always allow enough time in your schedule to accommodate clients who are tardy or for disruptions in your schedule.

5. Consider the following when scheduling an interview:

° combined interview requirements for FS applicants who are also requesting cash assistance;

° postal delivery time if the appointment notice is mailed;

° normal and expedited service promptness standards;

° 10 day requirements for the return of verification or accomplishing other required client actions.

6. Notify the applicant of the date and time of the scheduled appointment.

7. Make a reasonable attempt to interview applicants if they appear late or at a time that was not scheduled in advance.

Waiving the Interview

1. If a waiver of the office interview is requested:

° determine the reason for the request;

° determine if another qualified person is available to attend the interview.

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 5-1-95 Transmittal: UP-95-7 P-1505.25 page 2 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Eligibility Process PROCEDURES ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: The Application Process AFDC _______________________________________________________________ FS Subject: Application Interviews ______________________________________________________________________________

P-1505.25 Waiving the Interview (continued)

2. Explore the feasibility of postponing the interview.

3. Allow the waiver if there is reasonable evidence to support the request.

4. Arrange for a home visit or telephone interview if the in-office interview requirement is waived.

5. Document the reason for granting or denying the request for a waiver of the office interview in the case record or in the EMS narrative.

Scheduling a Second Appointment

1. Schedule a second appointment if the applicant fails to keep the first one and requests a second.

2. Allow enough time for obtaining verification and completing processing when scheduling a new appointment.

3. Notify the applicant of the date and time of the appointment.

4. Document the file and maintain your system controls.

Conducting Unscheduled Interviews

1. If the applicant appears at a time other than the scheduled appointment time try to complete the interview whenever possible.

2. Do not unnecessarily reschedule the interview for people who appear late, but appear on the day of the scheduled appointment if within reason you are able to adjust your work schedule to accommodate the individual.

3. Prior to deciding to schedule a new appointment, consider such factors as:

° if there is sufficient time left in the standard processing period, or if rescheduling would potentially cause the standard to be exceeded;

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF INCOME MAINTENANCE UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 7-1-87 Transmittal: UP-87-2 P-1505.25 page3 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Eligibility Process PROCEDURES ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: The Application Process AFDC _______________________________________________________________ FS Subject: Application Interviews ______________________________________________________________________________

P-1505.25 Conducting Unscheduled Interviews (continued)

3. ° if other scheduled appointments would be affected;

° hardship caused to the client;

° your work schedule.

4. Always allow enough time in between appointments when you schedule to accommodate interruptions or people who are not on time.