Judge approves settlement in food stamps lawsuit

PROVIDENCE—A judge has signed off on a settlement requiring the state to meet federal deadlines for processing food stamp applications.

The state last week settled a federal lawsuit accusing it of delays in providing needy families with food stamps. The suit was brought by the Rhode Island branch of the American Civil Liberties Union.

The settlement requires the state to provide reports on the number of applications it receives each month and how long it takes to process them. It said it has already taken steps to resolve the problem by improving technology, hiring more workers and other steps.

The state did not admit any fault or liability as part of the settlement.

U.S. District Judge William Smith formally approved the settlement on Monday.