461-115-0230 Effective 02/02/22
Interviews
- 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.
- For the purposes of this rule, "hardship" includes, but is not limited to:
- Care of a household member;
- An individual's age, disability (see OAR 461-001-0000), or illness;
- A commute of more than two hours from the individual's residence to the nearest branch office (see OAR 461-001-0000);
- A conflict between the individual's work or training schedule and the business hours of the branch office; and
- Transportation difficulties due to prolonged severe weather or financial hardship.
- In the SNAP program:
- 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.
- A face-to-face interview must be granted at the applicant's request.
- When an applicant misses the first scheduled interview appointment, the Department must inform the applicant by notice of the missed interview.
- 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.
- 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.
- In the ERDC program:
- 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.
- A phone interview is preferred; however, a face-to-face interview must be granted at the applicant's request.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- Individuals who are receiving SSI or are in 1619(b) status are not required to complete an interview at annual redetermination.
- 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.
- In the QMB programs:
- 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.
- An interview is not required at redetermination except in the QMB-DW program.
- In the REF and REFM programs, a face-to-face interview is required.
- 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