To determine if a household is eligible for SNAP, states must conduct an interview at application and at recertification, typically at least once per year. Successfully completing the interview is essential to ensuring that eligible clients receive food assistance. Reducing missed interviews reduces the need for households to reapply for benefits and for eligibility workers to reprocess redundant paperwork. Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to completing interviews, agencies have increased the number of interviews completed within mandated timeframes using the following promising practices. Increasing SNAP Interview Completion Rates Agencies typically conduct a combination of scheduled and unscheduled, walk-in and telephone interviews. Most agencies allow phone interviews; however, if applicants request an in-person interview, the state must still offer it. In general, SNAP agencies will complete more interviews when they use a flexible interview process that accommodates a household’s schedule and have different options for conducting the interview (phone and in-person). Examples of such flexibility include: When the client is in the SNAP office or on the phone, agencies can conduct the interview while the client is there and available: If a client walks into an eligibility office to apply or recertify, conduct a same-day interview while the client is in the office. If clients can apply or recertify over the phone (using a telephonic signature), conduct the interview while the client is on the phone to complete the whole process in one step. Note: only state/county eligibility workers can conduct interviews, which may have implications for call center staffing. Agencies can also conduct an unscheduled interview by trying to reach the client or allowing the client to call the SNAP office at their convenience. When an application or recertification is received, make a cold call to see if the client is available right then to complete the interview. Contact information is most likely to be accurate closer to the date of application. Clients may screen calls. Some agencies have found it effective to leave a messagesaying why they are calling and then try calling again in a few minutes. To increase the likelihood that clients pick up the call, agencies will want to be sure that the caller IDcorrectly notes the state agency vs. a general number or “blocked caller.” Send a text messageto let the client know that a caseworker will be calling soon to conduct the interview. Make multiple calls at different times over a few days to try to reach the client. Use a call-in model, where clients are instructed to phone a call center to complete their interview within a certain number of days after submitting their application or recertification. These are referred to as “on-demand” interviews. States may get an on-demand interview waiver to conduct all interviews on-demand or can use a call-in model without a waiver by still scheduling an interview time but offering the client the option of calling in any time before the scheduled interview. State Spotlight New York City On-Demand Interviews The New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) identified eligibility interview challenges, including that 20 percent of SNAP applications were denied for missed interviews and that excess staff time was spent scheduling and rescheduling interviews. In response, HRA piloted on-demand interviews for SNAP recertifications and created new outreach materials — an online message instructing clients to call for their interviews after submitting their recertification form, along with emails, texts, and robocalls reminding clients to call in for their interview. Clients are instructed to complete their recertification form online or at a local office and then call the SNAP Interview Phone Line to complete their interview. During the pilot, HRA saw an increase in the number of interviews completed at recertification and a decrease in agency workload from scheduling, rescheduling, and making multiple attempts to reach the client by phone. Following success with the recertification interviews, HRA expanded on-demand interviews to new applicants. If the agency schedules an interview: Allow clients to select an interview time that works for them through a mobile app or online portal rather than assigning them a time. Send a text reminder before the scheduled interview. For SNAP recertification interviews, call clients at the scheduled time even if they have not returned their recertification form to conduct the interview and remind them to send in their recertification form. Making the Most out of SNAP Interviews Interviews are an opportunity for SNAP agencies to clarify information reported on applications or recertification forms, collect verification documents, and answer client questions. Agencies can make the most out of the client interview by: Trying to resolve all verification issues during the interview.