Not enough workers to process SNAP (food stamp) benefits

[Punatang]

https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-...-in-hawaii

“ Right now there's a backlog and the people who are eligible for the program are not able to access these benefits. If we can hire one additional worker, that could bring in about $2 million in federal benefits to our families in need, that is an easy 10 to 1, 20 to 1 return on investment just for one worker,” said Nate Hix, director of policy and advocacy for the Hawaiʻi Pacific Health Institute.

The state Department of Human Services said it has a 25% vacancy for eligibility workers and 50% for clerical staff at SNAP processing centers.

“High vacancies and challenges to both recruitment and retention of the workforce can be attributed to retirements, a lack of interested applicants, and opportunities for higher-wage jobs, which, combined, make the vacancies very difficult to fill.”


Feels like an Arsenio Hall segment.       

[leilanidude]

Maybe if the requirements to get SNAP was changed so that one could not fly in from the mainland, go straight to the Hilo office on Kinoole Street and walk out with $517 on the card in under one hour they wouldn't need more people to process benefits? Info is readily available on the internet on how to do this. This is what the hippies have been doing for years.

[MyManao]

Maybe if the requirements to get SNAP was changed..

I'm curious, how many do you think do as you describe? Literally, one a year, two? Seriously, 'flying into Hilo' just to scam some food is a bit of a stretch methinks.. dollar wise. And besides, why begrudge some 'hippie' their food, when the entire program is corporate welfare, and the poor that need it are insignificant compared to how much it really is money for the corporations in the game. I mean, so what, someone gets fed... but ain't it the folks that profit from the sales the real winners? 

That's the thing about welfare whiners, they whine about the poor, when it is really money for the rich.. and they never fail to forget that.

[leilanidude]

Maybe if the requirements to get SNAP was changed..

I'm curious, how many do you think do as you describe? Literally, one a year, two? Seriously, 'flying into Hilo' just to scam some food is a bit of a stretch methinks.. dollar wise. And besides, why begrudge some 'hippie' their food, when the entire program is corporate welfare, and the poor that need it are insignificant compared to how much it really is money for the corporations in the game. I mean, so what, someone gets fed... but ain't it the folks that profit from the sales the real winners? 

That's the thing about welfare whiners, they whine about the poor, when it is really money for the rich.. and they never fail to forget that.

Had a network tech project in that very office, plus the unemployment office in the other end of the building. Each day, anywhere from 5-30 came into the office in the morning. Some are even towing along their just off the plane, suitcases. They will have pre-filled out the basic info online and then they show birth certificate, etc., then get moved into a presentation room where they are given info about all the other possible benefit programs - something like 25+. They each then wait for their personal interview and walk out with a loaded up SNAP card. Even the staff complained about them because they knew they were simply flying here to live a few months or more, snag the free food then fly back home. They lie about income/assets but since no one checks since  those assets/jobs are out of state they get away with it. They tend to not be dirt poor (they bought round-trip airfare).

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

even towing along their just off the plane, suitcases.

If they’re that broke, why fly into Hilo? Why not take a much cheaper direct flight to Kona, Maui, Honolulu? Does the Hilo office have different rules than those other destinations, it’s a state run program isn’t it?

[kalakoa]

Anecdotal: I knew someone who "temporarily relocated" to Hawaii for the benefits. They slept on the beach (this was some years ago) and returned to the mainland when the benefits ran out.

[leilanidude]

even towing along their just off the plane, suitcases.

If they’re that broke, why fly into Hilo?  Why not take a much cheaper direct flight to Kona, Maui, Honolulu?  Does the Hilo office have different rules than those other destinations, it’s a state run program isn’t it?

That is just the point. They are not broke. They lie about the assets/income. Hawaii doesn't check out of state accounts. Some just do this as a month or more vacation partly paid for by SNAP. The hippies come for Pahoa/Kalapana.