It seems the Interim reporting process was initially utilized as a means of completing a simplified yet concise "snapshot" evaluation of ongoing eligibility rather than conducting a full regular eligibility review.  The interim reporting process seems to have outlived the original intent and has evolved into a full blown eligibility review with many of the same rules other than the requirement for a telephonic or a face-to-face interview.  The process seems to have grown cumbersome and involves several back and forth mailings of the form for completion due to reasons such as failure to check “changes needed or no changes”, or due to failure to send in proof of change to income, shelter expense, etc.  These many steps involve many agency personnel to insure the conveyance of the form, related documentation, telephone calls, etc. to and from worker and recipient.   Another unfortunate result of interim reporting is the suspension of SNAP benefits of customers who make claims of never having received the form, thus causing an overflow of traffic in DHS lobbies at the beginning of each month.  It seems the costs in man hours and postage may greatly outweigh any dollar amounts saved (if this was the intent).   Additionally, another area of concern is that elderly recipients, with the many limitations and difficulties of aging, must also comply with the Interim Reporting process.

Because of the above-stated concerns I propose the discontinuation of the Interim Reporting process with its replacement being some more effective and efficient method of capturing information to evaluate continued eligibility.