HARTFORD — A federal appeals court says people applying for food stamps in Connecticut have the right to sue the state over delays in processing their applications.
Greater Hartford Legal Aid said Tuesday the decision from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals means plaintiffs can now seek permanent relief from the court, requiring the state’s Department of Social Services to process food stamps applications on a timely basis.
Federal law requires DSS to process them in 30 days, or seven days in cases of dire need.
DSS said it was reviewing the court decision. While disappointed in the ruling, released on Monday, the agency said it had made “tremendous improvement” in processing applications and issuing accurate payments.
More than 230,000 eligible households in Connecticut currently receive the federal benefits.
