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S N A P M A N U A L

39 If a SNAP household member does not speak English or is limited English proficient (LEP), the Agency is responsible for obtaining a qualified interpreter. Family members, friends, or the authorized representative should not be used as interpreters. Each local county office has an appointed individual designated to serve as the Client Special Services Coordinator (CSSC). The CSSC is knowledgeable of procedures to secure interpreter services and other services to assist LEP or special needs individuals. Division of Individual and Providers Rights (DIPR) may be contacted if further assistance is needed. The CHIP System has an “Interpreter needed for” field on Screen INRD. If an interpreter or translated materials are needed, a two-letter code must be entered in this field. Valid codes are: • AR – Arabic • CH – Chinese • OT – Other • RU – Russian • SL – Sign Language • SP – Spanish • UK – Ukrainian • VN – Vietnamese

3 . 8 I N T E R V I E W S Except for households certified for longer than 12 months, households must have a face-to-face or telephone interview with an ES Worker at initial certification and a face-to-face or telephone interview at least once every 12 months thereafter.

The Agency may not require households to report for an in-office interview during their certification period, though they may request households to do so. For example, the Agency may not require households to report for an in-office interview during their certification periods simply to review their case files, or for any other reason.

Interviews may be conducted by phone, at the SNAP office or other mutually acceptable location, excluding the household’s residence.

If a household in which all adult members are elderly or disabled with no earned income is certified for 24 months, a face-to-face interview is not required during the certification period. The