Lawsuit Filed Over Delayed Texas Foodstamps
Monday, Aug 10, 2009 | Updated 10:00 AM CST
Texas Health and Human Services Commission to hire more workers, starting Sept. 1.
A recent lawsuit filed to get food stamps to more Texans during the recession comes as additional workers are hired to process applications.
The class-action lawsuit seeks to force Texas to comply with federal regulations requiring that most eligible applicants be certified within 30 days.
Texas Legal Services attorney Bruce Bower told the Houston Chronicle that the food stamp benefit is 100 percent federally funded. Texas must provide half of the administration cost.
The Legislature authorized the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to hire about 650 more workers, starting Sept. 1.
Spokeswoman Stephanie Goodman says the agency "has an obligation to do better for Texas." She says workers is a long-term solution because of the length of time it takes to train them.
Copyright Associated Press
Posted Monday, Aug 10, 2009 - 9:38 AM CST
