State workers to handle new assistance requests

PROVIDENCE – A spike in the amount of food stamp applications in Rhode Island is causing the state to use federal stimulus money to hire up to three more workers, The Associated Press reported last week.
The workers will process incoming applications for the state, which has been struggling with a backlog during the economic downturn.
According to The AP, the Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union accused the state in a federal lawsuit last week of failing to promptly process food stamp applications.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Donald L. Carcieri said the state had received approval to hire the workers before the suit was filed. &#8226