California Department of Social Services - State Hearings Division
Notes from the Training Bureau - April 22, 2003

Reference: MPP §§40-101, 40-105.1, 40-107.1, 40-131.2, 40-161, 40-181.31

This ACIN provides answers to questions regarding face-to-face interview requirements.

Both parents in a two-parent assistance unit must attend a face-to-face interview when they first apply for CalWORKs. If a stepparent is included in the assistance unit, that stepparent must also attend a face-to-face interview.

For redeterminations, there must be an interview with the parent or person responsible for care and control of the child, but that interview need not be a face-to-face interview. This interview may be conducted as a home visit.

While both parents must attend a face-to-face interview prior to aid approval, they may attend separate interviews instead of the same interview. Children are not required to attend a face-to-face interview. Counties may however schedule a home visit if this is necessary to "clarify inconsistent information regarding children in the home".

While there is an option in the food stamp program for an applicant to waive the face-to-face interview, there is no such option in CalWORKs. Per MPP §40-131, a face-to-face interview is required prior to granting aid.