Connecticut Department of Social Services Uniform Policy Manual: 1545.15P The Redetermination Process - Interviewing and Interview Waivers

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF INCOME MAINTENANCEPRIVATE UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 11-1-93 Transmittal: UP-93-38 P-1545.15 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Eligibility Process PROCEDURES ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: AFDC The Redetermination Process FS _______________________________________________________________ Subject: Interviewing and Interview Waivers ______________________________________________________________________________

P-1545.15 Interviewing

1. Conduct the interview in the same manner as at the time of application.

2. Complete all applicable sections of the EDD and obtain the signature of the client. If an interpreter is used also have the interpreter sign the redetermination forms.

3. Review all factors affecting eligibility and benefit level.

4. Ask the unit to provide any required verification.

5. Offer assistance if it will be difficult for the unit to provide verification by the deadline for submitting the verification.

6. Advise the unit of any additional assistance that may be available.

7. Make appropriate referrals, including work registration or HealthTrack.

8. For all cash and Medicaid assistance units with children under the age of twenty-one, discuss the importance of regular age appropriate well-child care; including immunizations and blood level testing. Encourage these assistance units to take advantage of the following services which the HealthTrack staff can provide:

° helping to schedule regular medical, dental, vision and hearing appointments

° helping to find a doctor, dentist or other medical provider convenient for the family

° arranging medical transportation, if necessary

° help with eliminating barriers (i.e. child care) which prevents families from receiving medical care

° providing health education information, including the benefits of preventive health care, the importance of age appropriate immunizations and the periodicity schedule for well-child care.

° explaining the benefits and availability of the WIC program and other community services of interest

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF INCOME MAINTENANCE UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 5-1-95 Transmittal: UP-95-7 P-1545.15 page 2 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Eligibility Process PROCEDURES ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: AFDC The Redetermination Process FS _______________________________________________________________ Subject: Interviewing and Interview Waivers ______________________________________________________________________________

P-1545.15 8. (continued)

° providing information on the availability of local immunization clinics, which provide vaccines free of charge.

° reminding the client when a child is due for his or her next appointment

providing health education information, including WIC and other valuable services

9. If an interview is not specifically required, make a telephone contact and review the EDD whenever possible.

10. Explore any other issues that require further investigation or clarification.

Interview Waivers

1. If a waiver of the office interview requirement is requested, review the conditions and determine if the waiver should be allowed.

2. If the waiver is granted, decide if a home visit or telephone interview should be conducted.

3. Generally consider a telephone interview to be sufficient, except when a home visit is necessary.

° meet the annual face-to-face redetermination requirements.

° accommodate limitations of handicapped individuals;

° assure the accuracy of the eligibility or benefit level determination.

4. 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.

Unscheduled Appearances

1. Generally, follow application process procedures if an assistance unit appears for the interview at a time other than the scheduled appointment time. (cross reference: P-1505)

2. Try to provide enough open time in your appointment schedule to allow for delays and interruptions.

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF INCOME MAINTENANCE UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 1-1-91 Transmittal: UP-95-7 P-1545.15 page 3 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Eligibility Process PROCEDURES ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: AFDC The Redetermination Process FS _______________________________________________________________ Subject: Interviewing and Interview Waivers ______________________________________________________________________________

P-1545.15 (continued)

3. Make a reasonable attempt to accommodate people who do not appear on schedule.

4. If a new appointment date must be set, try to complete the interview no later than the fifteenth day of the redetermination month. As a general rule, schedule the appointment after the fifteenth only at the client's request.