This week, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett warned that Texas might lose millions in federal funding by June 20. The reason: the state’s slow processing of Food Stamp and Medicaid applications. Doggett says Texas could lose a lot of money. This will happen if it doesn’t meet federal guidelines for processing times.
Last year, Texas removed over 2 million residents from Medicaid. This was due to mismanagement. Now, many Texans who still qualify must reapply. States usually decide Medicaid eligibility within 45 days. For disabled applicants, they take 90 days. However, Texas is missing these deadlines. To keep federal support and vital services, Texas must fix these processing delays.
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SNAP Application Backlog in Texas
Congressman Lloyd Doggett’s office reported a backlog. It is at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Last month, the HHSC received 90,398 SNAP applications. Surprisingly, the oldest delayed application was filed 10 months ago.
Federal Response to Delays
The USDA and CMS have warned HHSC about these delays. They threatened to stop federal funds to Texas if the issues persist.
Impact on Vulnerable Families
Doggett sharply criticized Governor Greg Abbott for neglect. In a recent statement, he said Abbott’s indifference left many families without a doctor or food. He also noted that the USDA and CMS steps are crucial. However, Doggett stressed that Texans will suffer without competent leadership.
Key Points
- Texas HHSC has a backlog of 90,398 SNAP applications.
- The oldest delayed application was filed 10 months ago.
- The USDA and CMS have threatened to cut federal funds to Texas due to these delays.
- Gov. Greg Abbott has been criticized for his lack of action on this issue.
Immediate action is crucial to fix these delays. It will ensure vulnerable Texas families get the needed support. Without strong leadership and a clear focus on the most vulnerable, their suffering will continue.