News - Local
Colorado food stamp computers getting worse
Posted: Jul 22, 2010 7:24 AM by Bea Karnes, News First 5
Updated: Jul 22, 2010 8:14 AM
Colorado social workers say that attempts to fix the state computer system blamed for delays in food stamps and other public assistance are making things worse.
The system installed in 2004 has a history of communications problems, crashes and failures, including overpayments and underpayments.
New problems started last month as agencies' caseloads increased and the Colorado Benefits Management System reached the limits of its capacity. Social workers sent a letter July 12 to state officials saying that changes to the system are causing new problems. State officials say they are writing a response.
A long-term fix is expected to be completed in November.
The system serves about 703,000 people, up 25 percent from about 561,000 in 2004. It processes more than 4 million transactions daily.
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