Department of Human Services officials say they’re working with federal agencies to address concerns about the rocky roll out of a new computer system called UHIP. The system enrolls Rhode Islanders in programs like food stamps and Medicaid and replaces decades-old technology. But some Federal officials said it wasn’t ready to go live when it did.
DHS officials say they launched the system in mid-September after what they call the “success” of early pilots. But federal agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture disagreed, saying the system wouldn’t be able to handle the client volume and the agency lacked the staff to help applicants. They requested additional information about the state’s progress correcting deficiencies. State officials say they’re providing that information and working closely with the USDA to get back on track.
DHS also says the system has been working: millions of dollars in food stamp benefits have been paid out and more than 3,000 new applications have been processed.
But state partner agencies say wait times are still long. State lawmakers plan a hearing on the system’s roll out later this month.
