Rollout of Region 3 was delayed in July. FSSA has said the delay was caused by flooding in southern Indiana and the added workload of handling emergency benefits cases for flood victims.

FSSA officials were not available for comment by press time Monday.

LaPorte County Judge Thomas Alevizos has scheduled a hearing on the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction for Sept. 2.

“If the administration wants to provide computers and call centers as another entry point or option to check on benefits, that’s great, but you don’t replace highly skilled local caseworkers who do eligibility with somebody working for a private vendor in a call center,” Friedman said.

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By the numbers:

Number of Madison County households receiving food stamps: 6,218

Number of Madison County food stamp recipients: 13,648

Average monthly food stamp allowance per household: $230.82