FNS Regional Administrator Ollice Holden sent a letter dated June 23 to Roob advising the state to delay any further rollout of the welfare changes until it addressed concerns over food stamp processing timelines.

“FSSA must be able to demonstrate that the modernized service delivery model does not further impede the timely processing of food stamp benefits,” said the letter, obtained this week by The Associated Press.

FNS spokesman Lawrence Rudmann said Thursday the agency advised FSSA to improve its timeliness before it takes the welfare changes to any additional counties.

“It’s advice we expect to be followed,” Rudmann said.