1

 RANDOM-DIGIT-DIALING SCREENING INTERVIEW

>dial< DIAL THIS NUMBER: ([fill AREA]) [fill PRFX]-[fill SUFX:0]

 RESPONDENT TIME: [fill RSTM:0] [fill TZON] IN [fill STAT] 

<d> AUTODIAL THE NUMBER

<1> SOMEONE ANSWERS

<2> NO ANSWER [goto T180]

<3> BUSY [goto T182]

<4> ANSWERING MACHINE [goto T181]

<5> COMPUTER/FAX LINE [goto T180]

<6> TEMPORARILY NOT IN SERVICE; TROUBLE ON THE LINE [goto T186]

<7> CIRCUIT PROBLEMS; CIRCUITS OVERLOADED [goto T184]

<8> FAST BUSY; FAST RING; NO RING [goto T178]

<9> NOT IN SERVICE; DISCONNECTED; NONWORKING; [goto T176]

 NOT REAL NUMBER; CHANGED TO NEW NUMBER

<h> SHOW HISTORY

<0> MISTAKE -- DON'T WANT THIS CASE [goto T199]

===>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 ESTABLISHING HOUSEHOLD STATUS

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>a0< Hello, my name is ____, I'm calling on behalf of the U.S.

Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a study about the Food

Stamp Program. Your opinions are important, even if you don’t

get food stamps. I would like to speak to a member of this

household who is at least 18 years old.

READ IF NECESSARY: This study will help the Department of

Agriculture better meet the needs of elderly and working persons.

INTERVIEWER: IF NO ONE 18 OR OVER IS AVAILABLE,

CODE “7” CALLBACK.

<1> CONTINUE WITH SCREENER[goto T130]

<3> NON-RESIDENCE/GROUP QUARTERS/INSTITUTION/VACATION HOME [goto

T170]

<4> NEED/WANTS MORE INFORMATION[goto A1]

<5> HUNG UP DURING INTRODUCTION [goto T151]

<7> CALLBACK [goto T140]

<8> PROBLEMS--LANGUAGE, SUPERVISOR REVIEW [goto T160]

<9> REFUSED [goto T150] 

===>
2

>A1< WHAT IS THE STUDY ABOUT? The purpose of the study is to learn about 

people's experiences with the Food Stamp Program and why some people 

choose not to participate, even though they might be eligible for the 

program.

 WHO IS SPONSORING/CONDUCTING THIS STUDY?

 The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service

 is sponsoring the study. Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.,

 an independent research and survey company located in Princeton, New

 Jersey is conducting the study for them.

 WHY IS MATHEMATICA CALLING ME NOW? Mathematica would like you to take

 part in an interview for the study. The interview is about you and your

 household, and your opinions about the Food Stamp Program.

<5> NEED MORE INFORMATION[goto A1a]

<1> CONTINUE WITH SCREENER[goto T130]

<3> NON-RESIDENCE/GROUP QUARTERS/INSTITUTION/VACATION HOME [goto T170]

<7> CALLBACK [goto T140] <8> PROBLEMS--LANGUAGE, SUPERVISOR REVIEW [goto

T160]

<2> RESPONDENT WANTS LETTER [goto T141] <9> REFUSED [goto T150] ===>

>A1a< HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE? The interview has two parts. The first part

 will take between two and ten minutes and is used to determine if you

 are eligible for the second part. Depending on your situation,

 the second part of the interview will take between 15 and 40 minutes.

 We can do both parts of the interview together, or we can schedule an

 appointment to complete the second part.

 HOW WAS I SELECTED? Your telephone number was randomly generated by

 computer to be called about the study.

 WILL PARTICIPATING IN THE STUDY AFFECT MY BENEFITS? Your participation

 in the study will not affect any benefits you are receiving now or at

 any time in the future.

 DO I HAVE TO PARTICIPATE? Although your participation is very important,

 it is voluntary. Your participation will not affect any benefits you

 get now or in the future.

<5> NEED MORE INFORMATION[goto A1b]

<1> CONTINUE WITH SCREENER[goto T130]

<3> NON-RESIDENCE/GROUP QUARTERS/INSTITUTION/VACATION HOME [goto T170]

<7> CALLBACK [goto T140] 

<2> RESPONDENT WANTS LETTER [goto T141] 

<8> PROBLEMS--LANGUAGE, SUPERVISOR REVIEW [goto T160]

<9> REFUSED [goto T150] ===>
3

>A1b< WILL THE INFORMATION BE CONFIDENTIAL? Yes. All information collected

 will be kept strictly confidential and used only for research purposes

 with no names attached. The results of the study are for research

 purposes only.

 IF I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE LEGITIMACY OF THE STUDY, WHO CAN I

CALL?

 Please call XXXXX, the Survey Director at 1-800-XXX-XXXX.

 CAN YOU TELL ME IF I'M ELIGIBLE FOR FOOD STAMP BENEFITS?

 I'm sorry, I cannot determine eligibility for you. Please call

 1-800-xxx-xxxx, for information about eligibility requirements in

 your area.

<1> CONTINUE WITH SCREENER[goto T130]

<3> NON-RESIDENCE/GROUP QUARTERS/INSTITUTION/VACATION HOME [goto T170]

<7> CALLBACK [goto T140] 

<2> RESPONDENT WANTS LETTER [goto T141] 

<8> PROBLEMS--LANGUAGE, SUPERVISOR REVIEW [goto T160]

<9> REFUSED [goto T150] ===>

 

>czip< This call may be monitored or recorded for quality assurance purposes.

Is your zipcode [fillZIP]?

<1> YES

<0> NO [goto ZIP2]

<7> NON-RESIDENT/GROUP QUARTERS/INSTITUTION/VACATION HOME

<8> DON'T KNOW

<9> REFUSED

===>[goto zchk]

>ZIP2< Please tell me your zipcode.

INTERVIEWER: ENTER THE FIRST FIVE DIGITS OF ZIPCODE.

<00100-99999> ZIP CODE[goto zchk]

 <8> DON'T KNOW

 <9> REFUSED

===>[goto s1]
4

>s1< How many people live in your household? By household I mean yourself and the people

who live with you and share food with you. PROBE: Include any persons who live with you

more than half time.

<1-20> PERSONS IN HOUSEHOLD[goto ts1a]

<98> DON'T KNOW

<99> REFUSED

 ===>[goto rx1]

>s1a< The following may determine if you are eligible for the study or the Food Stamp Program. 

During the month of [fill PMon], was [your/your household’s] income less than $[fill

AMNT:,] before taxes and other deductions were taken out? Please include all sources of

income[from all household members]

PROBE, IF R SAYS DON'T KNOW: Your best guess is fine.

<1> YES, income less than [fill amt] [goto s2]

<0> NO [goto rx1]

<7> NON-RESIDENT/GROUP QUARTERS/INSTITUTION/VACATION HOME

<8> DON'T KNOW

<9> REFUSED

>s1ab< We do not need to know your income, we only need to know if your income was below

a certain amount. Your response will be kept confidential. During the month of [fill

Pmon] was your income from all sources less than $[fill amt] before taxes and other

deductions were taken out.

<1> YES, income less than [fill amt]

<0> NO [goto rx1]

<7> NON-RESIDENT/GROUP QUARTERS/INSTITUTION/VACATION HOME

<8> DON'T KNOW

<9> REFUSED

>s2< Did you [or anyone else in your household] receive food stamp benefits during [fill PMon]

or [fill CMon]?

<1> YES [goto ts19]

<0> NO [goto s3]

<8> DON'T KNOW

<9> REFUSED

===> goto rx1

>s3< [Have you/has anyone in your household] been notified that [you/they] were not eligible to

receive food stamp benefits during [fill PMon] or [fill CMon]?

<1> YES [goto rx1]

<0> NO

<8> DON'T KNOW

<9> REFUSED

 ===>

>s4< Did you [or anyone else in your household] work at a job for pay during [fill PMon] or [fill

Cmon]? Please include all full- and part-time jobs but exclude any jobs held by school

children under 18 years of age who live with you.

<1> YES

<0> NO

<8> DON'T KNOW

<9> REFUSED
5

>S4< Did you work at a job for pay during [fill PMon] or [fill CMon]? 

Please include all full- and part-time jobs.

<1> YES

 <0> NO

 <8> DON'T KNOW

 <9> REFUSED

 ===>

>s5< Are you [or anyone else in your household] 60 years of age or older?

<1> YES

<0> NO

<8> DON'T KNOW

<9> REFUSED

>CH1< CATI: Is there a working or an elderly person in the household?

 If s4 ne 1 and s5 ne 1 goto rx4

>s6< Did[you/everyone in your household] receive 

[fill name of state welfare program], 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or General Assistance during 

[fill PMon] or [fill CMon]?

<1> YES [goto CH4]

 <0> NO

 <8> DON'T KNOW

 <9> REFUSED

 ===>

>s7< [Do you/Does anyone in your household] own a car, truck, or van? 

Please include any cars, trucks, or vans that you're 

making payments on.

 <1> YES[goto s8]

 <0> NO [goto amt]

 <8> DON'T KNOW

 <9> REFUSED

 ===>[goto rx1]

>s8< Was this vehicle or were any of these vehicles manufactured in the 

past five years?

PROBE: That is, were any of these vehicles made 

between 1993 and 1998?

<1> YES [goto rx1]

<0> NO[goto amt]

<8> DON'T KNOW

<9> REFUSED

===>[goto rx1]

>amt< if s5=1 amt=$3,000 else amt=$2,000
6

>s13< Next, I have some general questions about [your/your household’s]

assets. Think about any cash [you have/your household has] on

hand, and money in checking and savings accounts. Are these amounts 

together less than [fill amt]?

<1> YES[goto s14]

 <0> NO 

 <8> DON'T KNOW

 <9> REFUSED

 ===>[goto rx1]

>s14< [Do you/Does anyone in your household] have any other kinds of financial

investments or accounts? Please include savings bonds, 

individual retirement accounts, stocks and bonds, 

money market funds, and savings for burial expenses.

<1> YES[goto s15]

<0> NO [goto CH4]

<8> DON'T KNOW

<9> REFUSED

===>[goto rx1]

>s15< Now think about the amounts in these other accounts and investments. 

Are these amounts together less than [fill amt]?

 <1> YES[goto s15a]

 <0> NO 

 <8> DON'T KNOW

 <9> REFUSED

 ===>[goto rx1]

>s15a< When you add any cash on hand, money in savings and checking accounts, 

and money in other financial investments and accounts together, are 

these amounts together less than [fill amt]?

 <1> YES[goto CH4]

 <0> NO 

 <8> DON'T KNOW

 <9> REFUSED

 ===>[goto rx1]

>CH4< CATI: Is there more than one person in the household? Is s1>1? If NO goto CH6.
7

>s16< If someone from your household were to apply for food stamp benefits, 

who would be the most likely person to go to the office and fill out 

the application?

NOTE: IF RESPONDENT SAYS MIGHT EQUALLY BE EITHER HIM/HER, OR

SOMEONE ELSE, CODE AS RESPONDENT

PROBE: Would it be you or someone else?

<1> RESPONDENT [go to nam]

<2> SOMEONE ELSE [goto s17]

<8> DON'T KNOW

<9> REFUSED

===> [goto CH6]

>s17< What is that person's name? 

NAME:________________________________________

NOTE: FIRST NAME IS ACCEPTABLE

 ===>

>nam< And could I please have your name?

NOTE: FIRST NAME IS ACCEPTABLE

<1> TO RECORD NAME

===>

>NAM< RECORD RESPONDENT'S NAME HERE

 ______________________________

===>[goto ch6]

>s18< Can I speak to [fill s17]?

 <1> [fill s17] IS AVAILABLE AND COMES TO THE PHONE [goto XXX]

 <2> [fill s17] IS NOT AVAILABLE 

 <8> DON'T KNOW

 <9> REFUSED

 ===>

>NRSP< We would like to complete the remainder of this interview with [fill s17] because you told

me if someone from your household were to apply for food stamp benefits (he/she) would be the most

likely person to go to the office and fill out the application. When should I call back

to speak with [fill s17]?

<1> CURRENT RESPONDENT WOULD BE EQUALLY LIKELY TO GO TO FOOD

 STAMP OFFICE, CONTINUE INTERVIEW WITH CURRENT RESPONDENT[goto

tNRS]

<2> ARRANGE CALLBACK AND RECORD TIME ON NEXT SCREEN

<9> CURRENT RESPONDENT REFUSES TO SCHEDULE CALLBACK OR REFUSES

 TO COMPLETE INTERVIEW - RECORD COMMENTS ON NEXT SCREEN

===>[goto CH6] 

>XXX< Hello, my name is ____________. I'm calling on behalf of the U.S. Department of

Agriculture (USDA) We are doing a national study to help the Food Stamp Program better meet the

needs of elderly and working persons. Your participation is important, even if you do notget food

stamps. This call may be monitored or recorded for quality assurance purposes.

<5> NEED MORE INFORMATION

<1> CONTINUE WITH SCREENER
8

>CH6< CATI: IS THIS A SHORT OR LONG INTERVIEW?

If LONG GO TO CH8

>CH7< CATI: DETERMINE APPROPRIATE QUESTIONNAIRE

If s4=1 and s5=0 goto WORKING SHORT NONPARTICIPANT

If s4=0 and s5=1 goto ELDERLY SHORT NONPARTICIPANT

If s4=1 and s5=1 RANDOMIZE BETWEEN WORKING AND ELDERLY SHORT

NONPARTICIPANT QUESTIONNAIRES

===> CH15

>CH8< CATI: DETERMINE APPROPRIATE QUESTIONNAIRE

If s4=1 and s5=0 goto WORKING LONG NONPARTICIPANT

If s4=0 and s5=1 goto ELDERLY LONG NONPARTICIPANT

If s4=1 and s5=1 RANDOMIZE BETWEEN WORKING AND ELDERLY LONG

NONPARTICIPANT QUESTIONNAIRES

===> CH15

>s19a< Did you[or anyone else in your household] complete a new 

application for food stamp benefits within the 

past three years, that is since [fill year]? 

Please do not include forms you may have completed 

for recertification.

<1> YES

<0> NO [goto rx2]

<8> DON'T KNOW

<9> REFUSED [goto rx2]

===>

>s19m< When did you receive your most recent food stamp benefits? 

PROBE: When was your most recent food stamp benefits credited to

 your [fill EBT]?

INTERVIEWER: ENTER MONTH HERE AND DAY AND YEAR ON NEXT SCREENS.

<1> JANUARY <7> JULY

<2> FEBRUARY <8> AUGUST

<3> MARCH <9> SEPTEMBER

<4> APRIL <10> OCTOBER

<5> MAY <11> NOVEMBER

<6> JUNE <12> DECEMBER

<98> DON'T KNOW

<99> REFUSED

===>[goto s19d]
9

>s19M< When did you receive your most recent food stamp benefits? 

INTERVIEWER: ENTER MONTH HERE AND DAY AND YEAR ON NEXT SCREENS.

<1> JANUARY <7> JULY

<2> FEBRUARY <8> AUGUST

<3> MARCH <9> SEPTEMBER

<4> APRIL <10> OCTOBER

<5> MAY <11> NOVEMBER

<6> JUNE <12> DECEMBER

<98> DON'T KNOW

<99> REFUSED

===>

>s19d< ENTER DAY

<01-31>

 <98> DON'T KNOW

 <99> REFUSED

 ===>

>s19y< ENTER YEAR

19<90-98>[goto s20]

 <8> DON'T KNOW

 <9> REFUSED

 ===>[goto Ts20]

>s21< What was the amount of food stamp benefits you received in 

[fill SMon]?

PROBE: What was the amount of the food stamp benefit credited

 to your [fill EBT] 

in [fill SMon]?

 $<1-1500>

 <9998> DON'T KNOW

 <9999> REFUSED

>S21< What was the amount of food stamp benefits you received in 

[fill SMon]?

 $<1-1500>

 <9998> DON'T KNOW

 <9999> REFUSED

 ===>
10

>Vs21< CHECK SCREEN

YOU HAVE RECORDED FOOD STAMP BENEFITS OF $[fill s21].

THE CODE FOR DON'T KNOW IS 9998 AND THE CODE FOR 

REFUSED IS 9999. HAVE YOU RECORDED THE CORRECT AMOUNT?

<1> YES, $[fill s21] IS CORRECT

<0> NO, NEED TO CHANGE AMOUNT ([fill s21])[goto xs21]

===>

>s22< NO QUESTION s22.

>s23< Did you or anyone else in your household work at a job for pay

during [fill PMon] or [fill CMon]? Please include all full- and

part-time jobs but exclude any jobs held by school children under

18 years of age who live with you.

<1> YES

 <0> NO

 <8> DON'T KNOW

 <9> REFUSED

 ===>[goto s24]

>S23< Did you work at a job for pay during [fill PMon] or [fill CMon]? 

Please include all full- and part-time jobs.

<1> YES

 <0> NO

 <8> DON'T KNOW

 <9> REFUSED

 ===>

>s24< Are you [or anyone else in your household] 60 years of age or older?

<1> YES

 <0> NO

 <8> DON'T KNOW

 <9> REFUSED

===>

>CH9< CATI: is there a working or an elderly person in the household. 

 If s23 ne 1 and s24 ne 1 goto rx1

>CH10< CATI: Is there more than one person in the household? Is s1>1? If NO goto CH11.

>s25< Who in your household last applied for food stamp benefits?
11

PROBE: Did you or someone else?

<1> RESPONDENT 

<2> SOMEONE ELSE [goto s25a]

<8> DON'T KNOW

<9> REFUSED

===> [goto CH12]

>s25a< What is that person's name? 

NAME:________________________________________

 ===>

>s25b< Can I speak to [fill s25a]?

<1> [fill s25a] IS AVAILABLE [goto xxx][#xxx is a info screen]

<2> [fill s25a] IS NOT AVAILABLE 

<3> [fill s25a] IS NO LONGER IN HOUSEHOLD[goto rx4]

<8> DON'T KNOW

<9> REFUSED

===> 

>nrsp< We would like to complete the remainder of this interview

with [fill s25a] because you told me [fill s25a]

was the last person in the household to apply for food 

stamp benefits. When should I call back

to speak with [fill s25a]?

<2> ARRANGE CALLBACK AND RECORD TIME ON NEXT SCREEN

<9> CURRENT RESPONDENT REFUSES TO SCHEDULE CALLBACK OR REFUSES

 TO COMPLETE INTERVIEW - RECORD COMMENTS ON NEXT SCREEN

===>[goto C12] 

>xxx< Hello, my name is ____________. I'm calling on behalf of the

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). We are doing a national study

to help the Food Stamp Program better meet the needs of elderly and

working persons. Your participation is important, even if you don’t

get food stamps. This call may be monitored or recorded for quality

assurance purposes.

<5> NEED MORE INFORMATION

<1> CONTINUE WITH SCREENER

>CH12< CATI: IS THIS A SHORT OR LONG INTERVIEW?

 IF LONG GO TO CH14
12

>CH13< CATI: DETERMINE APPROPRIATE QUESTIONNAIRE

If s23=1 and s24=0 goto WORKING SHORT PARTICIPANT

If s23=0 and s24=1 goto ELDERLY SHORT PARTICIPANT

If s23=1 and s24=1 RANDOMIZE BETWEEN WORKING AND ELDERLY SHORT

PARTICIPANT QUESTIONNAIRES

 ===> goto CH15

>CH14< CATI: DETERMINE APPROPRIATE QUESTIONNAIRE

If s23=1 and s24=0 goto WORKING LONG PARTICIPANT

If s23=0 and s24=1 goto ELDERLY LONG PARTICIPANT

If s23=1 and s24=1 RANDOMIZE BETWEEN WORKING AND ELDERLY LONG

PARTICIPANT QUESTIONNAIRE

>CH15< CATI: DETERMINE IF FIELD BY ZIPCODE

If FIELD and s16 = 2 and s18 ne 1 goto s26p

If FIELD and s23 = 2 and s25b ne 1 goto s26b

Otherwise goto s26

If not FIELD goto XXY

>s26< We would like to complete the remainder of this interview with you in 

person. (INTERVIEWER NAME) will call you within a week to schedule an 

appointment. We look forward to speaking to you in person. Thank you for your participation.

<1> TO CONTINUE

<9> REFUSED TO ALLOW IN PERSON INTERVIEW[goto fref]

 ===> 

>s26p< We would like to complete the remainder of this interview with [name from s17 or name

from s25a] in person. (INTERVIEWER NAME) will call him/her within a week to schedule an

appointment. We look forward to speaking with [name from s17 or name from s25a]. Thank

you for your help.

<1> TO CONTINUE

 ===> 
13

>XXY< INTEVIEWER: IMMEDIATELY START INTERVIEWING RESPONDENT USING

 THE [fill QCOL] QUESTIONNAIRE:

 [fill QSN].

I'd like to ask about your household. . . .

<1> TO CONTINUE TO INFO SCREEN - AFTER HARD COPY IS FINISHED

<2> RESPONDENT BREAKS OFF - SCHEDULE CALLBACK - RECORD ON FRONT[goto

CBIN]

 OF HARD COPY INSTRUMENT

<3> RESPONDENT REFUSES TO DO HARD COPY INTERVIEW[goto pref]

>INFO< THIS RESPONDENT IS ELIGIBLE FOR OUR STUDY -

CONDUCT [fill QSN] 

WITH THIS RESPONDENT. TRANSCRIBE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION

TO THE FRONT OF THE [fill QCOL] QUESTIONNAIRE.

MPR ID : [fill csid]

NAME OF ORIGINAL RESPONDENT:[fill NAM]

NAME OF RESPONDENT:[fill s17][fill s25a]

PHONE NUMBER: ([fill ph1]) [fill ph2]-[fill ph3] 

TIME ZONE: [fill tzon]

[fill ELD]

TYPE <g> TO RECORD NOTES FOR THE CONTACT SHEET AND EXIT THE

SCREENER===>

>CBIN< RECORD CALLBACK TIME OR ANY NOTES THAT SHOULD 

BE ON THE CONTACT SHEET - PLEASE BE AS BRIEF AND

COMPLETE AS POSSIBLE

<1> TO RECORD NOTES

<0> NO NOTES FOR CONTACT SHEET

===>

>rx3< Since you are no longer receiving food stamps, you are not

eligible for this study. Thank you for your time.

TYPE <g> TO EXIT===>[goto xine]

>rx4< I need to conduct the remainder of my interview with people

who are age 60 or older or currently working. 

Thank you for your time.

TYPE <g> TO EXIT===>[goto xine]

>rx1< Thank you for your time. That was my last question.

TYPE <g> TO EXIT===>[goto xine]

>rx2< That was my last question. The remaining questions are for

people who completed a recent application. Thank you for

your time.

TYPE <g> TO EXIT===>[goto xine]