Page 9

TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP 130 INTERVIEW REQUIREMENTS (toc) 131 INTERVIEWS (toc) All households must have an interview completed at initial application for TANF and SNAP benefits. Interviews may be conducted in person (face-to-face) or, in some circumstances, over the telephone. Interpretive services must be provided to individuals requesting assistance. See MS B-1400 for scheduling of interpretive services. A face-to-face interview is required for TANF at initial eligibility. The use of an A/R in the interview process is allowable. Exception: A telephone interview for initial TANF eligibility may only be conducted if it is impossible for the household to come to the closest district office due to unusual circumstances. Unusual circumstances may include impassable roads, lack of available public/private transportation, remoteness /distance to the office etc., as determined by the office manager In lieu of the face-to-face interview, case managers may conduct interviews by telephone for all SNAP households. A face-to-face interview may be scheduled if deemed appropriate (i.e. the household is homeless or does not have access to a telephone) or at the household’s request. When conducting telephone interviews, the following conditions must be met: • A Notice of Missed Interview (NOMI) must be provided to the household if the telephone interview is missed; and • The quality of the application process must not be negatively affected. The same information should be requested during the interview and the same verification process should be employed regardless of the type of interview conducted. All interviews must be pre-arranged in writing with the household. The appointment slip must announce the date and time of the interview. If the applicant does not have a telephone number for the Division to call, an internal office number (this must be a monitored number and cannot be Customer Service) must be provided for the applicant to call at the specified time to complete the interview. A home visit or alternative out-of-the-office interview location can be arranged in writing or verbally with the household or their authorized representative when there are special needs, and the household is requesting this service. APPLICATION PROCESSING Division of Social Services Eligibility and Payments Manual 26 June 26 MTL 08/26 INTERVIEW REQUIREMENTS A-130