A San Diego County report says a phone system to help people apply for food stamps and other benefits drops five out of six calls.
U-T San Diego says the report concludes that 350,000 calls a month don't get answered. The report says people who do get through must wait an average of more than 30 minutes.
The study says the county's Health and Human Services Agency needs more workers and phone lines to handle the load.
Director Nick Macchione says the agency plans to add at least 50 phone lines and nearly 100 new call-center employees.
