Arizona's social services agency has been found in contempt of court for failing to file dozens of court appeals requested by citizens who were denied benefits.
The decision by the Arizona Court of Appeals was issued Tuesday and found that the Department of Economic Security failed to comply with a prior court order requiring it to file about 100 appeals for unemployment benefits, food stamps and cash welfare assistance by early March./
The agency determines eligibility for those programs. People who are denied benefits can appeal using the agency's internal process, and if that appeal is denied, they can file for a court review.
DES failed to file those court reviews.
The agency has not responded to a request for comment on the latest findings by the court.
