ANDERSON — The state’s food stamp program might not be doing as badly as earlier thought.
On Wednesday, the Indiana Family and Social Services Agency released a letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture correcting an earlier letter that reprimanded the state’s timeliness in processing food stamps.
In a June 23 letter, Ollice Holden of the USDA wrote that the state had failed to meet federal standards for timeliness from March 2007 to August 2007.
The state registered an 82.94 percent timeliness rate in processing the benefits. States that fall below a 90 percent timeliness rate must implement a corrective action plan which must be followed until the state reaches 95 percent timeliness.
On Aug. 19, the USDA released a new letter noting that the June 23 letter did not include data from August 2007 to January 2008 that showed marked improvement in the state’s timeliness rate.
During this period, the state registered 88.67 percent, an improvement of 5.73 percent.
FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob said the letter corrects an error that misrepresented the state’s ability to process food stamps.
“What this letter tells us is that, first of all, that the system is operating better than it did before,” Roob said. “Secondly, that the tone of the letter on the 23rd was created in part by the numbers and those numbers were frankly and fairly a substantial error. They left out six months of data in which we were performing better.”
When the letter was released last month, the story broke big in area news media outlets.
“There’s been a lot of hubbub about a letter that was based on incomplete data and, honestly, reporting that I think jumped the gun substantially,” Roob said. “There have been a series of errors here, and they are very regrettable. Those errors have resulted in a lot of people with egg on their face.”
The state still falls below federal requirements.
According to the letter by Holden, “While FNS is encouraged by this progress in application processing timeliness, data from both six-month reporting periods demonstrate a need for continued improvement.”
Roob said the state was falling below federal standards because the federal government expects a 30-day processing deadline while the state maintains a 60-day standard. “For years, we’ve been well-below 90.”
The extra 30 days, Roob said, is meant to allow clients more time to turn in their applications.
In a statement released Wednesday, FSSA officials announced that they will hold a public hearing Sept. 4 to determine whether to change the state deadline to 30 days, aligning with federal standards.
“While no final decision has been made, FSSA looks forward to receiving public testimony on this possible rule change,” the statement notes.
The meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 4 in the Government Center South in Indianapolis, Conference Room 5.
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August 20, 2008
FSSA: Letter indicates food stamp progress
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Photo gallery: AU vs Mount Saint Joseph Baseball
Photos from the baseball double header and senior night for Anderson University and Mount Saint Joseph on 5/7/10.
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Comedian Harland Williams coming to Paramount
LOS ANGELES — Canadian Harland Williams was enjoying winter in Southern California. “It’s beautiful out,” said Williams, 47, familiar from roles in films like “Dumb & Dumber” and “There’s Something About Mary.” “A bit cold, but is 65 cold? I’ll take this cold any day, thank you.” Williams, whose Indiana performances have been exclusive to Crackers in Broad Ripple, will take the stage at the Paramount on Friday, April 2.
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Nancy Wood back in Anderson, with ASO
ANDERSON — Nancy Wood stared into the glass vase, full of clear water, with the bare roots of a plant dangling down into it.
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Auction deal for buyers, not for owners
ANDERSON — An auction held Saturday at a former, popular cabinet manufacturer resulted in deals for local woodwork hobbyists and businesses, but earned less than the new owners hoped for.
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Ann Duran on the air in Madison County
DALEVILLE — As a child, radio personality Ann Duran remembers her father calling her his mini-Barbara Walters.
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Weights, measures officials protect consumers
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AHS rocking to 'Schoolhouse Rock Live!'
ANDERSON, Ind. — With the end of the school year quickly approaching, Anderson High School Performing Arts students are springing into a favorite pastime. With the help of their director of six years, Tiffany Jackson, the group of 12 is putting on a musical, “Schoolhouse Rock Live!”
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Anderson native to lead county ghost tour
ANDERSON — Growing up in Madison County, Nicole Kobrowski liked to visit some of the area’s creepier places, such as Moss Island Road just west of the city.
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Sidewalk Prophets looking for a Dove
Sidewalk Prophets know how to please a crowd when they sing Christian pop at concerts across the nation.
Now, they’d like fans to reciprocate to help the band win a Dove Award. -
At Home: Project a bonding experience
PENDLETON — When a four-year project goes on for seven years, the result is often a strained marriage.
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