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$1.16 Billion Indiana Welfare Outsourcing Contract in Jeopardy

Twenty percent of food stamp cases are allegedly being mishandled, among other complaints.

Indystar.com reported today that Indiana's $1.16 billion 10-year social services outsourcing contract is in jeopardy. IBM Corp. and Affiliated Computer Services manage the state's system of distributing food stamps, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and Medicaid payments. The article quoted Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Anne Murphy as saying the deal with IBM could be cancelled. According to the article, 20 percent of food stamp cases are allegedly being mishandled, among other complaints.

In the fall of 2006, Governor Daniels announced the agreement saying it would help clean up "America's worst welfare system" and would save an estimated $500 million in administrative costs over the 10-year span of the agreement.

Wayne E. Hanson served as a writer and editor with e.Republic from 1989 to 2013, having worked for several business units including Government Technology magazine, the Center for Digital Government, Governing, and Digital Communities. Hanson was a juror from 1999 to 2004 with the Stockholm Challenge and Global Junior Challenge competitions in information technology and education.