USDA issues more warnings to state health agency

[WorseBeforeBetter]

....

In the latest response in a months-long back and forth between the federal agency and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, USDA administrators say the state is still at risk of losing federal funding for the food stamp program. If the state doesn't fix the massive backlog of cases, that could happen as soon as mid-March.

....

"It should be noted that many other States have implemented ACA without the dramatic impacts on SNAP that have occurred in North Carolina," USDA Regional Administrator Robin Bailey wrote to DHHS Secretary Aldona Wos Thursday.

....

But in its latest letter, which DHHS officials releases at 4:47 p.m. Friday, the federal agency says the state hasn't demonstrated much progress toward improving "actual service to households" and pointed to department figures that show more than 8,000 households have been waiting for more than three months for benefits.

"FNS is alarmed by the persistent problems despite our extensive technical assistance and repeated communications concerning the severity of the situation," Bailey wrote. "Citizens of North Carolina that need help putting food on the table are not receiving the basic level or responsiveness and quality of service that they deserve from their government."

....

"We strongly disagree with the federal government's threat to withhold Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administrative funds, which could adversely impact counties' abilities to assist families in need. However, we are encouraged by positive conversations between Governor McCrory, Secretary Wos and the U.S. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack that resulted in a verbal agreement of our plan to clear up outstanding FNS applications and recertifications," Sherry Bradsher, DHHS deputy secretary for human services, said. "We will continue working closely with our partners in county government to solve this problem."

http://www.wral.com/usda-issues-more-warnings-to-state-health-agency/13326212/

[barbtries]

1. are they literally trying to starve out the poor in this state

or is this just what happens when you put your cronies in charge instead of qualified people?
either way, disgusting.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

2. I can't wrap my head around it.

The poor can't just pick up and move, if that is what they are expecting. How will delayed food stamps and no unemployment checks affect crime? The economies of already suffering rural areas? Who will shop at Pope's shitty stores? What if deaths result? They may not care about deaths, but they'll care about bad press. Is that their winning strategy?

I don't trust them with anything, and they're shooting for privatization. Yeah, that'll go well.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

3. From the N&O: Federal money for food stamp management could be suspended in March

By Lynn Bonner
[e-mail] 24, 2014

....

If the state doesn’t show improvements by Feb. 10, it will get a formal warning that its administrative money will be suspended. If the state’s response to the formal warning is inadequate, administrative funds totaling about $88 million a year will be shut off March 12.

In response, Wayne Black, director of DHHS’ Division of Social Services, sent a letter to county directors of social services calling for “ ‘all hands on deck’ as we would do in the case of an emergency.”

....

The letter notes that the backlog as of Jan. 21 exceeded 23,000 households, with 8,327 waiting more than three months. Federal law requires that applications be processed within 30 days.

State totals dated Thursday show counties missed deadlines for 19,974 applications. Of those, 8,963 were for hardship cases, representing households that have almost no money. Under federal law, hardship applications must be processed within seven days. But nearly 1,400 of those applications have been pending for more than four months, according to state data, and more than 2,000 have been sitting from 31-60 days.

By Feb. 10, the state must eliminate the hardship applications wait list, and finish processing routine applications that have been waiting for more than three months.

....

http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/01/24/3561676/federal-money-for-food-stamp-management.html#storylink=cpy

AGAIN: "In its letter, the USDA said that other states met the federal health care law requirements without making their residents wait so long for food assistance."