Section 2830.325  Check, Debit Card Or Direct Deposit Authorization Interview

a)         The Department employee assigned to the matter shall conduct an interview of the claimant that is limited to the issues set forth in the notice of interview.

b)         All testimony at the interview shall be made under oath or affirmation.

c)         At the interview, the Department employee assigned to the matter shall:

1)         Inform the parties of the purpose of the interview and of their rights under the Act and the rules promulgated thereunder;

2)         Present to the claimant all relevant material obtained during the investigation;

3)         If the second endorser is present, take any testimony offered by the second endorser on the cashing of the benefit check;

4)         Provide the claimant with an opportunity to explain any reasons or to present any evidence that would show that the signature on the benefit check, change of address or direct deposit authorization form is not the claimant's (or otherwise that one of these forms is not authentic if it was submitted via the internet), and then allow the claimant to cross-examine any witnesses at the hearing or rebut any other evidence presented; and

5)         Issue a decision on the available facts, even if the claimant does not appear at the interview (there shall be no defaults for want of prosecution, though the claimant may withdraw the request for reissuance).

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 5671, effective March 24, 2022)