Action | SNAP Certification Periods |
Stage | NOIRA |
Comment Period | Ended on 11/10/2010 |
Interim reporting has become a cumbersum and interuptive burden on Benefit staff every month, particularly at the first of the month when the client finds there are zero benefits posted to their EBT card. They expect staff to fix it, and some demand immediate benefits. It becomes a nasty situation between the client and the worker or Supervisor. Most clients will say they never received it. They failed to mention they have moved and since reporting a new address is no longer a reporting requirement, a current address is not in the system. In some cases the report was returned to them because they did not complete it, or it was not signed, and they failed to send it back timely. It is a confusing form even if it is revised a hundred times. Policy keeps changing regarding the use of the Interim form and no one is sure of the correct way to do business. It has been the cause of many QA errors. Eliminating this form and process will relieve staff from the headachs associated with Interim Reporting. An interview with the client, in person or over the phone, is no more time consuming than the time spent on dealing with Interims. I am totally in favor of returning to six month certification periods and personal contact with the client.