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Illinois’ Automated Phone System Interview . Waiver. FNS granted a waiver of the face-to-face interview requirement and authorized us to use the Phone System Interview for recertifications.
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Waiver • FNS granted a waiver of the face-to-face interview requirement and authorized us to use the Phone System Interview for recertifications. • FNS approved the script prior to initial project approval and has requested accuracy information and other data for us to renew each year.
Project History • Implemented July, 2007 – to households with earnings • Expanded July, 2008 to include non-assistance households • Expanded December, 2009 to Family Medical Cases
Simplified Reporting • In Illinois we use 6 month certification periods (as opposed to 12 month certification periods with an interim report at 6 months) • One recertification is a face to face interview – regulations require a face to face interview every year • One recertification is a mail in
PSI Process • Central Notice that benefits are expiring has invite to use PSI and includes: • Special Codes to Access System • Worksheet to follow along with the call • Dates PSI is available
Behind the Scenes • Our system sends a daily file of data for every customer that is eligible to call in to our vendor --data includes- details about people in the case, income, housing costs • Our vendor sends call data – responses to the questions back to our system
Customer Calls • IVR System available 24/7 • English/Spanish • Speech recognition • Can switch to keypad
PSI Interview Script • 8-10 minute interview • Considered their "signature" when they access system using special codes provided in the notice • First ask to confirm accuracy of case name and address (if they say no, they are locked out and cannot use PSI system)
PSI Interview Script (cont) Questions continue about: • Household members, student eligibility • Income • All deductions - shelter, child support deduction, dependent care • Change in health insurance • Optional survey contains racial/ethnic
PSI Interview Script (cont) • System asks customer to confirm accuracy of each answer • If system doesn't understand, it will ask again sometimes in a different way • If system doesn't understand 3 times, it will disconnect
“Partial” Calls • If a caller hangs up or gets disconnected, they can call back same day and script continues where they left off • If they hang up and call back another day, it starts over • If they call and don't finish, we send a notice • The notice tells them they didn't complete and the date they need to reapply for benefits to continue to be timely
Complete Call • When customer gets completion number – interview/application is complete • If verifications are needed, central notice for verification is generated
Complete Call (cont) • System registers the application with a special designator of “P” • Appears on office/caseload pending list the following day • Call data also transfers to legacy system called Automated Case Management (ACM)
Caseworker Tools • Questions asked and customer responses from the call transfer electronically to a web based system called Caseworker Tools that worker can see immediately • Verifications needed are highlighted for the worker
Complete Call (con’t) • Once verifications are received, worker processes the application
Number of Recertifications • With the IL SNAP caseload at 860,000 cases, we send an average of 120,000 notice of expirations each month • 73% are invited to use PSI as a way to reapply.
Fast Facts – # of Complete Calls • Most recent quarter – we received average of 31,000 complete calls per month • 35.4% of those offered opted to used PSI
Fast Facts – After Hours Calls • 37.6% of complete calls are done after work hours or on weekends
Fast Facts – Partial Calls • Over the last 3 months, we sent an average of 5000 notices each month to callers who started a PSI interview and didn’t finish it the same day.
Customer Survey Results • For June, 2011 of over 8800 callers who opted to take the survey: • 97.4% said the interview was convenient and easy to use • 97.9% said the questions were easy to understand • 98.6% said they would use PSI again
Accuracy • Quality Control ** For first half of FY 2010 sample, we had 36 reviews done on cases that used PSI for their recertification. **3 cases had errors resulting in an error rate of .2%, 12.7% of the total 1.58% state reported error rate.
Accuracy (continued) ACE reviews - (includes process & documentation errors) • PSI Cases reviewed 823 - accuracy rate 83.5% • Non PSI cases reviewed – 4608 - accuracy rate 87.5%
Lessons Learned • Develop the script you think you want before your vendor comes on board - gives you a starting point • Make sure you have a test system • Decide up front the reports you need • Think about what success looks like
Ongoing Costs • Telecom Bill for the last 3 months for the toll free lines for PSI averaged $12,000 each month
Questions? Contact: Jan Freeman, Manager Illinois SNAP Director Bureau of Policy Development Illinois Department of Human Services Jan.Freeman@illinois.gov 217-782-1239