Scheduling Interviews

When the same day interviews are available, the county must contact the household to conduct an interview, collect the needed verifications, and issue benefits within the three day time-frame.

When an interview is not conducted on the same day the application is submitted, an interview must be scheduled. AB 79 requires counties to implement “Flexible Interview Scheduling” effective January 1, 2022. To comply with AB 79, EWs must call the client and schedule an interview at a  mutually convenient time for both the EW and the client.

Note: If the client can complete the interview when contacted, proceed with the interview.

If the household is not available by phone, messages left for the household should contain information relative to the interview. When scheduling the date and time of the interview appointment for households, the EW must remember confidentiality.

The EW must document in the case file when the call was made to the household and what information was left, including the date and time of the interview. If the household is a “no show” for their first scheduled interview, the NOMI (CF 386) must be sent on the day of the missed interview or the next day.

Note: If an interview that is scheduled on a non-business day is missed, the NOMI must still go out even on weekends.

Home Visits

A home visit may be scheduled to interview the applicant “face-to-face” when the interview cannot be conducted at the CalFresh office or by telephone (e.g., The Household does not have access to a telephone). Home visits must be scheduled in advance with the applicant.

Time Limit

Interviews must be granted as promptly as possible to ensure the applicant’s right to participate within 30 days from the filing date.

Denials on 30th Day

A full 30 days must pass before any denial action can be taken. Therefore, a 30-day denial action that falls on a weekend is effective and dated the Monday following the weekend.

Related Topics

Applicant Interview Requirements