Federal officials say Texas too slow in processing food stamp applications
March 18, 2008
Between 50 percent and 55 percent of food stamp applications assigned to TIERS in December were not processed in 30 days. Federal rules allow no more than 5 percent to be handled that slowly.
Written by Robert T. Garrett, The Dallas Morning News
Federal officials, alarmed that a Texas computer system has been tardy in processing more than half the food stamp applications it was assigned in December, have asked the state to postpone rollout of the system to more of the state.
"We are not convinced that a continued rollout of [the system] is warranted," William Ludwig, Dallas regional administrator of the U.S. Food and Nutrition Service, wrote the state last week.
Mr. Ludwig said his agency wants the state to undertake "strong measures to improve timeliness and ensure customer service, including call center performance."
Spokeswoman Stephanie Goodman of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission said Monday that the state is trying to hire and retain more employees in its Office of Eligibility Services, which operates more than 300 field offices and assists four privately run call centers.
Ms. Goodman said the commission also will train more of its workers to use a Web-based computer system to sign up poor Texans for social programs. State officials say the system is still the best hope for the future, despite complaints that it is cumbersome to use.
One advocate for the poor is skeptical.
"How are we ever going to be timely until we have a computer that does things quicker?" said Celia Hagert of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, which advocates for low-income Texans.
She said the state should add no more needy households to the Texas Integrated Eligibility Redesign System, or TIERS, until it can be made faster and easier for state workers to use.
Between 50 percent and 55 percent of food stamp applications assigned to TIERS in December were not processed in 30 days. Federal rules allow no more than 5 percent to be handled that slowly.
Ms. Goodman of the commission said about 12 percent of the nearly 4 million Texans who receive food stamps, Medicaid and cash assistance have had their information entered into the new system – compared with 5 percent slotted into TIERS a year ago.
The software was first tested in Travis and Hays counties starting in June 2003, and the state had hoped to use it statewide by the end of 2006 but slowed down after problems arose.
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