410-3       THE INTERVIEW

410-3 A.   WHEN IS AN INTERVIEW REQUIRED?

Interviews are mandatory for all initial applicants.  A face-to-face interview is required at the time of initial application, unless the face-to-face interview is waived.  See manual section 410-3D for policy on when an interview can be waived.

410-3 B.   WHO MUST ATTEND THE INTERVIEW?

A member of the applicant household who can sign the application form or an individual authorized by the household must attend the interview.  

410-3 C.   WHO CAN CONDUCT THE INTERVIEW?

•  DPA Caseworker:  

Most individuals will be interviewed by a DPA caseworker in the DPA office or by telephone.

•  Fee Agent:  

In communities where there is no DPA office, the fee agent conducts the interview for individuals who want to apply for public assistance.  The fee agent will complete a Fee Agent Interview Report form (FA #1) and submit it with each application.

•  Native Family Assistance Program (NFAP Native Family Assistance Program) Agency:  

We will accept the NFAP interview, if one is conducted, and not require the individual to be interviewed again.  If the NFAP interview notes are not provided with the application, the caseworker will obtain them from the NFAP agency.

Note:  Regardless of who conducts the interview, if additional information or verification is needed to process the application, the caseworker will contact the applicant to get this information.

410-3 D.   WHEN CAN THE FACE-TO-FACE INTERVIEW BE WAIVED?

Face-to-face interviews can be waived when the applicant is unable to attend the interview for reasons including:

• Illness or disability
   

• Transportation difficulties
   

• Prolonged severe weather
   

• Needed to care for a family member
   

• Living in a location not served by a DPA office
   

• Work or training hours that preclude an in-office interview during office hours

The caseworker shall document the reasons a face-to-face interview is waived.  A household whose face-to-face interview is waived shall be interviewed by telephone or through correspondence.

410-3 E.   INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED AT THE DPA OFFICE

Interviews must be scheduled for applicants who cannot be interviewed on the day they submit an application.

The interview must be scheduled timely to ensure eligible households have an opportunity to participate within 30 days after the application is filed.

Applicants may bring anyone they choose to the interview.  During the interview, applicants must be informed of their rights and responsibilities and basic program procedures.

When the applicant fails to appear for a scheduled interview and does not reschedule, the application is denied.  If the household contacts the office within 30 days of the application filing date, the office must schedule a second interview.  If the household is determined eligible, the original application is used and benefits start based on the date the application was filed.

Note:  If an application is registered on EIS as a request for service, EIS will automatically deny the application on the 30th day from the date the application was filed.  The household is notified via a system-generated notice.

410-3 F.   CHANGES REPORTED AT THE INTERVIEW

Applicant households must report all expected changes affecting their eligibility or benefits at the interview.

Changes reported after the interview, but before a case decision is made, will be considered in the initial eligibility determination.

When an applicant reports that a spouse has moved into the home before a case decision is made, the spouse must be included in the household beginning with the month the spouse moved in.  When an applicant reports that a spouse has moved out of the home, that spouse is still considered to be part of the household for the month during which the spouse moved out.

Example:

Mary applies for APA on May 27.  At the interview on June 5, she reports that her spouse moved in on May 30.  The spouse is considered part of Mary’s household for May.  If her spouse had moved in on June 3, he would be included in Mary’s household beginning June 1.

Example:
Angela applies for APA on April 1.  Her application lists herself and her spouse as household members.  On April 10, she reports that her spouse left the home that day due to incarceration.  Her spouse is considered to be a household member for April.  He is not be considered to be a household member for May, the month after he moved out.