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AUTHORIZATION OF INFORMATION BY PARTICIPANT An individual’s signature on the application allows the OPA to contact other persons or organizations to obtain necessary verification of any statements to determine initial eligibility. A signed release of information form is not a condition of eligibility, and the household is not required to sign a form. However, the OPA Case Manager should ask the household to sign a release of information form to enable the OPA Case Manager to assist the household in obtaining necessary information or verification to determine eligibility. Each adult household member should be given the opportunity to review and sign a release of information form since an individual cannot waive another’s right to confidentiality. If the household does not want to sign the form, it should be case noted that they were given the opportunity but did not sign the release of information. A participant always has the right to rescind in writing the authorization to release information. Human and Community Services Division (HCSD) currently has three release of information forms that are available for use. 1. HCS-101 form explains the participant’s right to confidentiality and gives the participant the option of signing the form to authorize the release of information or declining to authorize the release of information by not signing the form. The authorization expires one year from the date of the signature, so the household should have the opportunity to sign the form at application and yearly thereafter. 2. HCS-102 is used for only very specific information to be released and specifies a specific date the release expires. The HCS-102 is only used on a limited case-by-case basis. 3. HCS-103 is used for case management to share general information between agencies such as progress reports, enrollment, attendance, and participation. AGENCY PERSONNEL AND VOLUNTEERS Personnel used in SNAP eligibility determination process must be employed and classified in accordance with the employment and classification standards of the State of Montana and the Department of Public Health and Human Services. Only qualified program employees conduct the required eligibility determination interviews and determine eligibility for SNAP. Volunteers must be trained in sufficient detail and frequently enough to give correct information to households. Volunteers or other persons not employed by DPHHS may not conduct the required eligibility determination interviews and determine eligibility for SNAP. They may assist OPA Case Managers in related actives such as outreach, obtaining necessary verification, pre-screening applications, and assisting applicants in completing the application form. Volunteers are restricted from disclosing confidential information the same as DPHHS employees. Effective Date: December 15, 2023