Statement: “Geographically, a person who lives in San Diego who’s poor has no less need for these programs but they have more difficulty getting them,” said Katie Murphy, an attorney with the Western Center on Law and Poverty.
Determination: True
Analysis: The level of access to social welfare programs is lower in San Diego County than any other major California county, according to months of investigating by voiceofsandiego.org.
The county denies services to a larger share of estimated eligible people than any other major California county and its food stamp enrollment has been lowest in the nation for five years. In the past, the courts have had to force the county to provide more care to the poor.
— KELLY BENNETT and DAGNY SALAS