We demand that Missouri stop shortchanging the disabled community and fix its broken SNAP system.” Public benefits should never be this hard to access, especially for persons with disabilities. “Our plaintiffs depend on SNAP to stave off hunger and poverty. “We’re excited to fight for our plaintiffs’ right to receive SNAP benefits and advance disability justice in Missouri,” said Katharine Deabler-Meadows, Staff Attorney at NCLEJ. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires DSS to accommodate the disabilities of individuals who need one to access SNAP, but there is no way to request such accommodation without navigating the overloaded call center. The situation is even worse for people with disabilities.DSS in-person office operations are insufficient, including limited hours, limited operations, and no COVID-19 safety protocols, even during the delta and omicron waves.Applicants must answer a series of automated questions-questions they have already asked and answered in their applications-before they can get in line to speak to DSS staff, thus further burdening applicants.In September, October, and December of 2021, more than 50% of rejected applications were denied because applicants could not complete an interview.Many SNAP applicants wait for hours only to be disconnected before having a chance to interview. Call queues contain hundreds of people.All SNAP applicants must complete an interview to receive their benefits-using the overloaded call center.All SNAP applicants are routed to a central call center, but the call center is drastically understaffed.District Court rules in favor of the plaintiffs, the State will be ordered to comply with federal law and make procedural changes that would ensure access to SNAP for eligible Missourians. Denise Davis, a new plaintiff on the federal lawsuit. I lost my home, spent my savings, and have significant medical debt. I have tried three times to apply for SNAP benefits. Even though I have called and called countless times, I have been denied because I could not complete the interview. I do not have enough food, and I do not have the healthy meals I need. My health conditions are worse because I cannot get food,” stated Ms. I have not been able to work since October 2022. “I live in Phelps County, Missouri. I have several health conditions, including cancer and kidney failure. Douglas Harpool denied the State’s request to dismiss the lawsuit, allowing it to enter the discovery process. In March 2022, two plaintiffs began receiving SNAP benefits following filing of the lawsuit. District Court for the Western District of Missouri in February 2022 on behalf of Empower Missouri and two low-income Missourians against Robert Knodell, the Acting Director of the State’s Department of Social Services. If you are an individual or family seeking assistance, please contact Legal Services of Eastern Missouri at the Food Stamp Hotline at 31 or send an email to lawsuit was filed in the U.S. MISSOURI – The National Center for Law and Economic Justice (NCLEJ), Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, and Stinson LLP filed a motion to add two new plaintiffs on their federal lawsuit to ensure access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for Missourians. Patrick Fowler, Communications and Fundraising Strategist, NCLEJ | 44 MaNew Plaintiffs Join Federal Lawsuit Over Missouri’s Failure to Provide SNAP Benefits
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