STAFF REPORT
The Ellis County Press
ENNIS – The former roommate of a Department of Health and Human Services caseworker alleged that her one-time co-resident of reselling food stamps to close friends and those the Ennis office on North Kaufman rejected.
State officials have seen an influx of applicants for food stamps due to mounting job losses and the recession economy.
A visit to the HHS office at 2707 N. Kaufman to inquire about the allegations was met with Ennis officials referring questions and inquiries to the state office in Austin.
The communications director for HHS, Stephanie Goodman, did not return requests for comment as of press time.
Aside from the caseworkers former roommate, several residents in Ennis also told The Ellis County Press of the food stamp re-selling, describing how a $100 food stamp card could be sold for $50 outside of normal business hours.
Activations of food stamp applicants that were previously rejected were the basis of how the caseworker was able to re-sell the cards and have HHS networks show "residents who are receiving benefits, even though theyre not," according to the former roommate who requested anonymity.
|
Maximum Monthly Food Stamp Amount |
| |
|
Family Size |
Monthly SNAP Award |
|
1 |
$ 200 |
|
2 |
$ 367 |
|
3 |
$ 526 |
|
4 |
$ 668 |
|
5 |
$ 793 |
|
6 |
$ 952 |
|
7 |
$1,052 |
|
8 |
$1,202 |
| |
|
For each additional person, add: $150 |
