During the initial home visit, the social worker will question the applicant about their medical conditions and functional abilities and ask about other household members. The social worker will also observe what the applicant is capable of doing. The social worker will confirm the applicant’s medical conditions and capabilities with his/her doctor. This process is called a “needs assessment.”

The social worker uses a statewide uniform assessment process to determine which functions of daily living consumers cannot do for themselves. The purpose of the assessment is to find out at what level the consumer can function and the services the consumer may need. It is based on the consumer’s functional ability in his/her own home and not just on a medical diagnosis. Two persons with the same medical diagnosis may differ greatly in their abilities.