From an earlier blog referring to the “bad” eligibility system with the SNAP(formally called the food stamp program) program in Texas, we learned that:
- Texas has been ranked last of all 50 states including U.S. territories to process food stamp applications within the 30-day time frame that is required under federal law.
- The eligibility process, experienced staff shortages and problems with the Health and Human Services Commission using outdated computer databases are some reasons attributed to the delay in SNAP benefits reaching needy families in Texas.
On January 12,2010, the Center for Public Policy Priorities made a release saying that in December 2009 Texas Human and Health Services Commissioner, Tom Suehs asked for a review to be made by the Texas State Auditor regarding the problem Texas faces with the SNAP eligibility system.
On March 30, 2010, the State Auditor’s office released a report addresses some of the problems that the HHSC faces with the eligibility systems pertaining to programs like SNAP, Medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families known as TANF.
These include:
- communication with applicants and clerical support
- technology
- workforce management
- management information
The report is not just all criticism.
It mentions that the Federal Government has given the HHSC $27 million in supplemental funding for the administration of SNAP, and it encourages the Commission to use these funds to raise salaries and training to employees working in the Commission’s eligibility offices and improving the technology it uses to process the applications.
Below you will find the links to the full reports of :
The CPPP’s policy page on background information about the problems facing Texas’ eligibility system
