Missouri Judge Denies State's Request to Dismiss Federal SNAP Lawsuit

Judge M. Douglas Harpool of the U.S. District Court ruled recently that a federal lawsuit concerning food stamp benefits could move forward. The lawsuit involved two disabled persons who were not able to work and the difficulties they faced trying to recertify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). To apply for SNAP, households must file an application, complete an interview, and submit verification after the interview. Households with net income at or below the federal poverty line - $13,590 for a household of one, or $18,310 for a household of two - and limited resources can apply. The average value of benefits is $163.83 per month. Roughly one in ten Missourians receive benefits.

Due to limited in-person hours, most applicants have no choice but to confront the overloaded call-center, where wait times could be an hour or more. Difficulty scheduling interviews contributes to a high rejection rate of SNAP applications. The overall rejection rate is from one-third to almost half of all applicants. The lawsuit asks the court to order the Department of Social Services to make changes that could bring the state into compliance with federal law.

For more information about SNAP or to apply, click here.