Interviewer: I am going to be asking you some sensitive questions and some may seem repetitive but all are necessary to help you on your path to stable housing.
Interviewer: Do you have a disabling condition- a physical, mental or emotional impairment?
Client: I have diabetes that is really bad and I guess it doesn’t help that I drink a lot.
Interviewer: So would you say your diabetes is expected to be of long-continuing or indefinite duration and substantially impair your ability to live independently?
Client: No, I’m fine on my own if I take all my meds which I can’t get now that I’m out of jail.
Interviewer: Do you have any documentation of the diabetes or the alcohol abuse?
Client: I still have a prescription for diabetes meds but no one really knows about the alcohol abuse; I guess I just know I drink too much.
Interviewer: Would you say that your alcohol abuse is expected to be of long continuing or indefinite duration and substantially impair your ability to live independently?
Client: I think I just need to go to AA or something.
Interviewer: Okay, thanks for answering those questions about disabilities. Are you the head of household?
Client: What do you mean? I don’t have a household.
Interviewer: Are you presenting here as a single?
Client: Yes.
Interviewer: Where did you sleep prior to coming here?
Client: Well I’ve been homeless for a couple months now, usually staying on my brother’s couch.
Interviewer: Where did you stay the night last night?
Client: Well he kicked me out last week so I’ve been on the streets or in his car and tonight would be the 8th night in a row I had to do that and I really hope I don’t have to again.
Interviewer: So you have been on the streets or in the car for 7 nights?
Client: Yeah so far.
Interviewer: What is the approximate date you became homeless?
Client: I lost my apartment last winter and was on the streets for 7 months. I stayed at my sister’s house a bunch times off and on. Now I’m back on the street mostly.
Interviewer: Were any of the times you stayed at your sister’s house for 7 nights or longer?
Client: I probably stayed at her house 2 times where it was for a whole month.
Interviewer: You also said earlier you were in jail- when was that and for how long?
Client: That was in the spring and I was there for 30 days.
Interviewer: Were you on the street right before going into jail for 30 days?
Client: Yes I was arrested while sleeping on the street.
Interviewer: Okay thanks for getting into those details with me. Are you receiving income from any source?
Client: No I don’t have a job.
Interviewer: Since there are many sources of income I’m going to go through a list of types of income and can you tell me if you are receiving any of these? Earned income, unemployment income, SSI, SSDI, VA Service-Connected Disability Compensation, VA Non-Service Connected Compensation, Private Disability Insurance, Worker’s Compensation, TANF (RI Works), General Assistance, Retirement Income from Social Security, Pension/Retirement Income from former job, Child Support, Alimony/Spousal support…
Client: Yes I’m receiving child support.
Interviewer: What is the monthly amount you receive from child support?
Client: $500 most months
Interviewer: Are you receiving non-cash benefits from any source such as SNAP, WIC, TANF child care, transportation or other TANF-funded services, Section 8/Public Housing/Rental Assistance?
Client: No I tried to get food stamps but I will need help with that.
Interviewer: Do you have health insurance from any source?
Client: Yes I think I have neighborhood health care.
Interviewer: Are you a victim or a survivor of domestic violence?
Client: Yes a long time ago.
Interviewer: When did the experience occur?
Client: Right before I lost my apartment.
Interviewer: That was around 7-8 months ago? And are you currently fleeing?
Client: Yes about 8 months ago now and no I’m not fleeing anymore.
Topics to point out as examples in the script?? …
Self-report
Listing examples when they show a misunderstanding of the question
Jail stays of less than 90 days, only if entering from street beforehand…
Counting months homeless based on breaks