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LANSING (AP) — State social workers struggling with mounting welfare, food stamp and Medicaid caseloads said Wednesday they fear for their lives after being assaulted or threatened by recipients frustrated with long lines and delays in aid.

Employees of the Michigan Department of Human Services said at a legislative hearing that they are overwhelmed with bulging caseloads and people seeking help are taking out their frustration on innocent workers. The employees said local DHS offices are packed because of a faulty computer system and not enough workers to deal with the influx of cases in a state with the country’s highest unemployment rate.

‘‘It’s becoming more and more, every day, a risk that we take,’’ said Jackson County caseworker Amy Harrison, who said a client tried to hit her Oct. 12. ‘‘We are in a desperate situation in the Department of Human Services — lack of staff, lack of security and astronomical caseloads in a system that does not function.’’

Harrison, who said she is routinely cursed at and threatened, was one of seven caseworkers to testify before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services about her experiences.

State officials responded that the department has a zero-tolerance policy against clients who assault employees. Police reports are filed and individual offices each have safety plans, though the caseworkers complained about a lack of security.

‘‘Our employees’ safety is of the utmost importance,’’ DHS spokesman Edward Woods III said. ‘‘We do not tolerate any irate, agitated, perceived violent behavior in our offices.’’

 

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