PDFWAC 388-452-0005

Do I have to be interviewed in order to get cash and basic food benefits?

(1) You or your authorized representative must have an interview with the department:
(a) At initial certification, unless you meet requirements in subsection (9) of this section; and
(b) At least once every 12 months, unless you meet the requirements in subsections (8)(b) or (9) of this section.
(2) You will have just one interview even if you are applying for or are having a review for benefits from more than one program.
(3) We hold interviews either in person or over the phone.
(4) If we do not interview you on the same day that we receive your application, we will schedule an interview appointment for you or have you contact us by phone during our business hours to complete your interview.
(5) If we schedule an interview, we will set your appointment to allow you at least 10 days after the interview to provide needed verification:
(a) Before the end of the 30-day processing period for applications; or
(b) Before your certification period ends for eligibility reviews or recertifications.
(6) If you miss your first interview and ask for another interview within 30 days of the date you applied for benefits, we schedule a second interview or have you call us and complete the interview over the phone.
(7) If you must have an interview for benefits, you or someone who can give us the information we need about your AU must participate in the interview. You may ask any person you choose to help with your interview.
(8) For basic food only:
(a) Your authorized representative as described in WAC 388-460-0005 may take your place during your interview.
(b) We may waive the interview requirement at recertification if the household meets the elderly simplified application project (ESAP) criteria:
(i) All members of the household are elderly or disabled, as defined in WAC 388-400-0040;
(ii) No mandatory or applying household members have earned income;
(iii) The paper or electronic eligibility review is complete;
(iv) The household has provided all necessary verification or the verification is available through interfaces available to the department; and
(v) No information provided is unclear or incomplete requiring a request for verification.
(9) For ABD cash assistance, we waive the interview requirement at application and recertification if you reside in a public institution, as defined in WAC 182-500-0050.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.0052, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.04.655, 74.04.770, 74.04.805, 74.08.025, 74.08.043, 74.08.090, 74.08.335, 74.08A.100, 74.62.030, and 2022 c 297 § 205(22). WSR 23-01-057, § 388-452-0005, filed 12/14/22, effective 1/14/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, and 74.08.090. WSR 20-14-090, § 388-452-0005, filed 6/30/20, effective 8/1/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.04.510, and 2011 1st sp.s. c 15. WSR 13-18-006, § 388-452-0005, filed 8/22/13, effective 10/1/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.04.515, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, 74.08A.903, and 7 C.F.R. 273.9. WSR 10-01-165, § 388-452-0005, filed 12/22/09, effective 1/22/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510. WSR 04-10-102, § 388-452-0005, filed 5/4/04, effective 7/1/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, and 7 C.F.R. 273.2(e). WSR 03-18-113, § 388-452-0005, filed 9/2/03, effective 11/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, and 74.08.090. WSR 02-14-023, § 388-452-0005, filed 6/21/02, effective 7/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and 74.09.530. WSR 01-14-060, § 388-452-0005, filed 6/29/01, effective 8/1/01; WSR 00-22-087, § 388-452-0005, filed 10/31/00, effective 12/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530 and 42 C.F.R. 435.907. WSR 99-11-075, § 388-452-0005, filed 5/18/99, effective 6/18/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-452-0005, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-504-0420.]