WAG 19-03-06-b: Interviews

PM 19-03-06-b.

SNAP REDE Interview

  • When the SNAP household files a SNAP REDE application, schedule an interview with the household. For Mid-Point Reporting households see WAG 19-07-04.  Interviews should be scheduled as soon as possible so that the household has at least 10 days after the interview to provide verification before the certification period expires. If a household misses its scheduled interview and requests another interview, schedule a second interview.
    • Note: The FCRC may schedule an interview before the application is filed if the household has received its Notice of Expiration of Certification. Do not deny or cancel benefits if the household fails to appear for an interview that is scheduled before a REDE application is filed. The Medical, Cash and SNAP Application (Form IL444-1893) informs the household that if they do not reapply, SNAP benefits will end. No additional notice to the household is needed.
  • At the SNAP REDE interview:
  1. Review all information contained on Form IL444-1893 and explore and resolve with the applicant/representative any unclear or incomplete information.
    • Note: If the household submits the wrong application (ABE application. or Form IL444-683, SNAP Application, or Form IL44-2378B, Request for Cash Assistance, Medical Assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), instead of Form IL444-1893, treat as a REDE application to preserve the application date. Conduct the interview in the same manner as it would be if the correct REDE application had been received.  A Mid-Point Report is not an application form and cannot be used if the household is due for a REDE
  2. Discuss household composition, the relationship of household members, student status, resources of noncategorically eligible SNAP households (PM 07-04-00), income and work status of each nonexempt member. Ask if the SNAP household has dependent care costs, shelter costs, court-order child support, and medical expenses for a qualifying member. Ask if someone is helping the household with paying their expenses. Ask additional questions if help is being received, to determine how much of the total cost of expenses are paid by someone else, how often and if the payment is given directly to the SNAP household as contribution or loan, or is a vendor payment directly to the creditor.
  3. Request information needed to determine eligibility using Verification Checklist (Form IL444-0267). Request only the information needed that cannot be verified through electronic sources. Allow the customer 10 calendar days to comply with the request. If the SNAP household does not provide the required information (except for proof of expenses) by the 10th calendar day, deny the SNAP REDE application on the first workday after the 10th calendar day.
  4. Explain that as a condition of eligibility, each person age 16 - 59 who does not have a work exemption must comply with the Work Provisions. When the policy is in effect, explain that SNAP customers residing in a nonwaived area of the State must meet the Work Requirement if they are age 18 through 52 years of age, do not have dependents; and do not qualify for a work exemption. Provide the applicant with an oral explanation of the SNAP work rules and complete, SNAP Work Rules (Form IL444-5175) listing the nonexempt members.  See PM 03-15-01, PM 03-15-02, PM 03-25-01.
  5. Explain the SNAP Employment and Training Program (SNAP E&T) and its goal is to help SNAP customers improve their work skills and assist them finding a job through short-term training and work assignments as well as GED, resume writing and interviewing classes. Supportive services are available to help the customer participate in program activities.
    1. If a member in the SNAP household wants to volunteer for SNAP E&T complete the assessment and referral process to the Office of Workforce Development. See PM 21-06-01, PM 21-06-02. 
    2. A member who volunteers to perform community service is not referred to the Office of Workforce Development. Community service is not a SNAP E&T component and does not qualify for supportive services. If a member volunteers to do community service, issue SNAP Activity Report (Form IL444-2610) and explain its use. The volunteer provides verification from the community service provider to the FCRC at the start of their participation. Verification is not required to be submitted monthly. It is the SNAP household's responsibility to report changes in the member's participation status to the FCRC. See PM 21-06-10.
  6. Inform the household of their reporting requirements at the time of the interview and the responsibility to report changes during the certification period based on their reporting status:
    1. For Change Reporting SNAP households, provide the household with Reporting Changes - SNAP (IL444-2777). At the time of approval, the worker sends the household a SNAP Change Report (Form IL444-1978) and a (non-postage paid) return envelope. See PM 18-04-04.
    2. IES systematically sends Redetermination Fact Sheet (Form IL444-4769) to SNAP households approved in Mid-Point Reporting Status.

Note: The SNAP Work Requirement Time-Limited benefits policy is not in effect for any county in the State throughrevised text 10/31/2025.

Applicant Fails to Appear for Interview Appointment

  • If the SNAP household fails to appear for the scheduled interview:
    • Deny the application on the next workday following the day of the scheduled interview, and
    • Do not schedule another interview unless requested by the household.

Applicant Requests Another Interview 

  • If the SNAP household requests another interview and completes the interview by the 30th day following the end of the approval period, reopen the application; see PM 19-03-08.

Waiving the Interview

  • When a SNAP household requests a waiver of the face-to-face interview, record the decision to grant or deny the request in the case comments. See WAG 02-06-01-b).