More than 365,000 Philadelphia residents—a quarter of the city’s entire population—receive food stamps (now called SNAP). The latest figure marks an all-time high for the city, surpassing even the number of people receiving food stamps prior to the federal welfare reforms of 1996.

As Philadelphia’s unemployment numbers continue to climb, more and more residents need help putting food on their tables. Victims of recent layoffs join the staggering number of people who already rely on food stamps to buy groceries each month.

Gov. Ed Rendell must respond to the needs of Pennsylvanians hit hardest by this economic crisis. But instead of ensuring that Department of Public Welfare offices are adequately staffed to handle the soaring number of food stamp applications, Gov. Rendell has ignored the problem. Today, there are 26 percent fewer caseworkers approving food stamp applications in Philadelphia than there were six years ago, although the number of applications has risen dramatically. In the past year alone, applications have increased by 9 percent and food stamp caseloads have increased by 10 percent.

Like nearly all state employees, caseworkers are subject to the hiring freeze implemented by Gov. Rendell last October. As a result, welfare offices across Pennsylvania are struggling to keep up with applications, making it nearly impossible for caseworkers to adequately assist people applying for aid.

The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger annually helps more than 3,400 Philadelphians apply for food stamps. Over the past eight months, the Coalition has received hundreds of complaints from applicants unable to contact their caseworkers.

“When clients have to endure excessive wait times to speak with a caseworker or are never called back at all, it’s extremely frustrating for them,” says Rachel Meeks, the Coalition’s Food Stamp Enrollment Campaign Manager. “This can result in verification problems and missed deadlines during the application process, which can lead to unnecessary denials.”

Applying for food stamps is a complicated and daunting process, requiring an interview with a caseworker and up to a dozen forms of supporting documentation, including applicants’ pay stubs, rental agreements, utility bills and childcare receipts. Caseworkers who handle food stamp applications review applications for other public benefits, as well. “An applicant can be denied for any number of reasons, which is why it’s critical that caseworkers have adequate time to process each application,” says Meeks.

States across the country have grappled with caseworker shortages and surges in food stamp applications. In Maryland, attorneys for low-income applicants sued the state for failing to process applications within the 30 days required under federal law.

Here in Pennsylvania, Gov. Ed Rendell has the authority to resolve the caseworker shortage. Thanks to President Obama’s economic stimulus package, the state has $11.2 million in emergency food stamp administration funds, which could be used to hire more caseworkers. But despite the available funding—and the urging of anti-hunger advocates across the state—Rendell
has failed to take any action on the issue, turning his back on thousands of low-income Pennsylvania residents.

Available Interview Source:
Rachel Meeks, Food Stamp Enrollment Campaign Manager
Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger
215-430-0555 X103
rmeeks@hungercoalition.org

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