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Vermont Department for Children and Families Economic Services Division All Programs Rules 2000 p.2 All Programs 5. Continuing eligibility will be determined, when circumstances change or at specified periodic intervals, in accordance with the same principles as initial application. H. Procedures for determining initial and continuing eligibility will: 1. Rely upon applicants and recipients as the primary source of information about their eligibility, after an adequate interpretation of requirements, recognizing varying capacities of applicant/recipient to take responsibility for providing adequate factual information. 2. Inform applicants and recipients of their responsibility to furnish complete and accurate information, including prompt notification of changes affecting their eligibility or amount of aid or benefits, and of the penalties for willful misrepresentation to obtain aid or benefits to which they are not entitled. 3. Provide assistance to recipients, when requested, in obtaining needed information. For contact with collateral sources, see respective programs. 4. Provide for obtaining needed information when the recipient is unable to do so, due to physical, mental or other difficulties. 5. Include, except when specifically waived where a simplified method is in use, at least one interview with the applicant or recipient, or, if direct contact is impractical or would delay the decision, with someone acting responsibly for him. 6. Limit verification of conditions of eligibility to what is reasonably necessary to assure that expenditures under the program will be legal, in accord with federal and state law and regulations. Application of these principles in specific areas is covered in succeeding sections.