PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo says she’s taking more steps to fix the state’s new public benefits system that has been beset by problems since it launched in September.
The Democrat tells WPRO-AM (https://bit.ly/2hiTrpb ) the state is hiring 35 eligibility technicians for temporary jobs and opening two more field offices on Saturday mornings in Pawtucket and Warwick to reduce backlogs.
Rhode Island is transitioning to a new, $364 million computer system to administer benefits such as food stamps and health care.
Raimondo says it was a mistake to lay off social workers shortly before the new system launched.
She says the system’s performance has improved significantly since November. She expects a rocky few more months but it’s going to be a much better system than the decades-old one it’s replacing.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.