550 Content of Interviews

The interview is an official and confidential discussion of household circumstances with the applicant. The applicant should be made to feel at ease during the interview and the confidentiality of the information provided by the applicant must be protected. The scope of the interview may not extend beyond an examination of household circumstances which directly relate to the determination of household eligibility and benefit level. The purpose of the interview is to establish to the satisfaction of the worker that the actual facts of the case are consistent with the information on the application or on previous applications and with other information known to the worker concerning household income and circumstances and to establish, subject to subsequent verification, whether or not the household is eligible for SNAP assistance. To accomplish this purpose, the worker shall use interview techniques that explore and resolve with the household unclear and incomplete information. Merely reviewing the application for completeness is no substitute for a complete interview. During the interview, the worker shall fully advise the household of its rights and responsibilities, including an explanation of the application processing standards and the household's responsibility to report changes. At the interview an applying household must report changes related to eligibility which have occurred since the application was filed. Changes listed in 106 CMR 366.110: Household Reporting Responsibilities which occur after the interview but before the date of the notice of eligibility must be reported within ten days of the date of the notice.