A class-action lawsuit has been filed in order to end the delays in Texas in getting food stamp benefits out to eligible applicants.The lawsuit, according to the Associated Press article available at the Houston Chronicle’s website, was filed to force Texas to comply with federal regulations that require that most eligible applicants be certified within 30 days. The lawsuit aims to get more food stamps out the door to Texans who need them during the recession. Bruce Bower, an attorney with Texas Legal Service, is told the Chronicle that, while food stamps are a benefit 100% federally funded, states must provide half the administrative costs.
To address the delay, the Texas legislature has authorized the hiring of more workers to help process applications. The Texas Health and Human Services is authorized to hire 650 additional workers starting September 1, 2009. To read the AP article click here.
Robert Garrett, writing for the Dallas Morning News, reported on August 4, 2009, that the lawsuit was brought after over half of the new applications in Dallas and Houston went past the 30 day certification deadline. The lawsuit is filed in the United States District Court in Austin, TX. The Texas Legal Services Center and the National Center for Law and Economic Justice brought the lawsuit on behalf of Texas citizens. The suit is asking US District Court judge Sam Sparks to make Texas follow the federal regulation for food stamp certification.
Texas’s food stamp rolls have grown by 11 percent over the past year. Currently 2.8 million Texans receive food stamp benefits. In Dallas County alone there are 256,000 recipients, which is an increase of 10 percent from August of last year. To read the Dallas Morning News article click here.
Posted: 08/10/09
