NCLEJ Sues Michigan for Delaying Food Stamps to Thousands of Families

-posted March 2010

NCLEJ and the Michigan Center for Civil Justice have filed a class action lawsuit, Willis v. Ahmed, challenging Michigan's failure to process food stamp applications in a timely manner. The case has been filed in the Eastern District of Michigan and has been assigned to the Hon. Anna Diggs Taylor. The complaint contends that there are systemic delays in the processing of food stamp applications and seeks relief that would require the State to adhere to federal law mandates. Under those mandates, the State agency must determine the eligibility of each applicant household promptly and provide assistance within thirty days following the filing of its application. There is an exception for certain very poor households, in which cases the law mandates that the State agency shall provide benefits no later than seven days after the date of application. If the case is successful, thousands of families will benefit each month.