Suehs predicts deal on Texas' food stamp fine

State social services czar Tom Suehs says Texas has greatly reduced overpayment, underpayment and wrongful denials of food stamps. He predicted today that the state and federal food stamp officials will work out a deal to reduce a nearly $4 million fine that the feds levied against Texas in June. Garrett reports: http://dallasne.ws/bLpM2i

Food stamps agency requests staffing boost

Garrett:
AUSTIN – Texas' system for handling requests for food stamps and other aid will require more than 1,900 additional state workers over the next few years to keep up with heavy demand, a top official has told state leaders. However, Health and Human Services Commissioner Tom Suehs asked for slightly more than 1,500 new eligibility workers in a recent preview of how much money his agency will request in the next two-year budget cycle.
http://dallasne.ws/brdQUL

U.S. fines Texas $4 million for botching food-stamp claims

Garrett reports:
AUSTIN — Federal food stamp officials have fined Texas nearly $4 million for making too many errors in calculating people’s monthly benefits.
http://tinyurl.com/2egu2cx

Legal aid attorneys expand lawsuit over Texas food stamp program

Garrett reports:

AUSTIN – Legal aid lawyers today accused Texas of still running an illegally understaffed, inconvenient and confusing eligibility system for food stamps despite having worked off a backlog of pleas for help.
http://tinyurl.com/238svm6