Energy Programs

300.11 SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR WAIVING THE OFFICE INTERVIEW

A. Agencies may complete interviews by telephone in the following situations if no member of the household is able to come to the agency:

1. The household lives in a rural location and does not have transportation; or

2. The household member is unable to come to the agency for reasons such as, but not limited to disability or incapacitated, illness, caring for a household member, prolonged severe weather, or employment hours or training schedule which conflicts with the agency hours.

NOTE: Date of telephone interview is the date of application.

B. Application Procedure for Telephone Interviews

1. Complete the application interview over the telephone.

2. Establish a reasonable time period, normally ten days but no later than the deadline date listed in EP-105, to return information. Record the agreed upon date on the DSS-8185. This is the only request sent to the applicant.

3. Mail application form (DSS-8114) and DSS-8185 to the applicant.

NOTE: Applications are not considered complete unless all questions have been answered and documented and has been signed. Applications mailed after the conclusion of a telephone interview must be signed by the applicant or authorized representative. Applications not returned or returned not signed are not complete applications. Notify the applicant, verbally or in writing, that his application is incomplete and will not be processed. Document your verbal contact or file a copy of the letter in the case record. Do not key an unsigned application into the energy system.