461-115-0230    Effective 02/02/22
Interviews

  1. In the REF, REFM, and TANF programs, the Department may conduct a required face-to-face interview by telephone or home visit if an authorized representative (see OAR 461-001-0000 and 461-115-0090) has not been appointed, and participating in a face-to-face interview is a hardship (see section (2) of this rule) for the household.

  2. For the purposes of this rule, "hardship" includes, but is not limited to:

    1. Care of a household member;

    2. An individual's age, disability (see OAR 461-001-0000), or illness;

    3. A commute of more than two hours from the individual's residence to the nearest branch office (see OAR 461-001-0000);

    4. A conflict between the individual's work or training schedule and the business hours of the branch office; and

    5. Transportation difficulties due to prolonged severe weather or financial hardship.

  3. In the SNAP program:

    1. An interview must be scheduled so that the filing group (see OAR 461-110-0370) has at least ten days to provide any needed verification before the deadline under OAR 461-115-0210.

    2. A face-to-face interview must be granted at the applicant's request.

    3. When an applicant misses the first scheduled interview appointment, the Department must inform the applicant by notice of the missed interview.

    4. An applicant who fails to attend a scheduled interview must contact the Department no later than 30 days following the filing date (OAR 461-115-0040) to be eligible for benefits.

    5. An adult (see OAR 461-001-0015) or primary person (see OAR 461-001-0015) in the filing group, an adult or primary person excluded from the filing group under OAR 461-110-0370(8)(b), or the authorized representative (see OAR 461-001-0000, 461-115-0090, and 461-135-0510) of the filing group is interviewed once every 12 months.

  4. In the ERDC program:

    1. Except as provided otherwise in subsection (c) of this section, an interview with an adult in the filing group (see OAR 461-110-0350) or the authorized representative of the filing group is required to process an initial application and a renewal of benefits.

    2. A phone interview is preferred; however, a face-to-face interview must be granted at the applicant's request.

    3. An interview is not required when the Department has implemented the Child Care Reservation List and it is determined that a decision notice (see OAR 461-001-0000) of ineligibility will be sent under OAR 461-115-0016.

  5. In the OSIPM program, the Department must complete an interview with at least one individual authorized to sign the application under OAR 461-115-0071(3), except as follows:

    1. Individuals in a standard living arrangement (see OAR 461-001-0000) who are receiving SSI or are in 1619(b) status are not required to complete an interview at initial application.

    2. Individuals who are receiving SSI or are in 1619(b) status are not required to complete an interview at annual redetermination.

    3. The interview requirement shall be waived at annual redetermination if the individual is unable to complete the interview due to incapacity and an authorized representative has not been designated.

  6. In the QMB programs:

    1. The Department must complete an interview with at least one individual authorized to sign the application under OAR 461-115-0071(3) at initial application.

    2. An interview is not required at redetermination except in the QMB-DW program.
  7. In the REF and REFM programs, a face-to-face interview is required.

  8. In the TA-DVS program, the Department will conduct a required face-to-face interview with the survivor, unless there is a safety concern related to the domestic violence (see OAR 461-001-0000) situation or there is a hardship. An interview due to safety concern or hardship may be completed via phone, home visit, or offsite appointment.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 409.050, 411.060, 411.404, 411.706, 411.816, 412.049, 414.826, 414.839
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 409.010, 409.050, 411.060, 411.070, 411.117, 411.404, 411.706, 411.816, 412.049, 414.025, 414.231, 414.826, 414.839

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