State Announces Slow Down On Welfare Roll-Out, Cites Flooding Associated Press (Indianapolis Star, June 24, 2008) reports that the State of Indiana has announced that the expansion of the new welfare eligibility system has been suspended. Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Mitch Roob cites flood-related activities as the reason. An additional 13 counties, including Lake and St. Joseph, were set to roll-out in late July. Central Indiana had been slated to change over to the call-center structure in November. When the roll-out will pick up again is unclear. As quoted, Roob indicated that the delay will at least go through July, then be reassessed. United Senior Action and others have been alarmed by the number of people needing assistance being denied, incorrect information being given by call center staff regarding appeals, lost paper work and more. “We sincerely hope that the State takes the opportunity to fix the extensive list of problems we have in the 59 counties already switched over to the new system,” said Michelle Niemier, USA Executive Director.

Volunteer Dan Skinner with the Stipes Family (Kim, Kevin and Sophie). The Stipestook their story of the failing welfare system to the media at a statehouse news conferencethis spring.

Niemier added that one of the most significant changes that USA believes has resulted in lack of services is the near-elimination of caseworkers.
With such complex challenges that folks face, it takes seasoned caseworkers to
help people get the services they need and that our tax dollars pay for.

The $1.16 billion contract executed by the State with private businesses to take over the system called for over 1,500 state employees to switch and become private sector employees or quit.

USA volunteer Nancy Griffin recently assisted a young mother in Marion County (a county not “officially” rolled-out but that is feeling the impact nonetheless) who was forced to go to the northside welfare office four times in one week. On three occasions, she was told her paperwork looked fine. All that was needed, she was told, was for someone to approve renewal of her Food Stamp allocation. No one in that office on any of the four occasions was authorized to take that action, so she was told she would need to come back. Only after intervention on the mother’s behalf by Griffin was the problem resolved and the mother able to get food assistance.

“A well-run system should be client-driven not profit-driven,” Niemier said. “Let’s
hope the State changes its perspective in the coming months.”