Do I need to have an interview to continue benefits?

Most households are required to have an interview as part of the recertification process. 106 C.M.R. §§ 366.320(B), 366.330(A). The interview, usually done by phone, should be scheduled once the recertification form is received. The same procedures for scheduling the interview and sending a notice of missed interview apply in recertification interviews as well as initial application interviews. See Does DTA have to interview me and what happens if I miss the interview?

No interview for certain elder/disabled households

DTA was granted a federal waiver in 2009 that allows the DTA worker to completely skip the recertification interview for elder/disabled households where:

• The household has no earned income;
• The recertification form was received timely and is complete; and
• The household has sent in mandatory verifications needed for eligibility factors that have changed, such as income, immigration status, residence, etc. (If optional verifications are missing— for example, for shelter or medical expenses— the household is not required to have an interview.)

Under those conditions, DTA will send out a verification checklist for any missing optional verifications and call the household to see if it needs help, but will not conduct a regular interview unless the household requests an interview or unless the information provided in the recertification form is questionable. (As of the issuance of this January 2011 Guide, this waiver has been temporarily suspending pending systems fixes).

Additional Policy Guidance on Certification Interviews