Baltimore social service offices are planning to install an online intake system by June that could make the processing of food stamps and medical benefits applications up to 10 times faster, according to state human resource officials.

The program was introduced at the city's Hilton Heights office two months ago and is to expand to the seven other city offices in the summer. With the system, the center in West Baltimore has improved its rate of compliance with a state law governing the delivery of food stamps by more than a third, says Molly McGrath, the city's director of social services.

She and others from state and city social services agencies participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Hilton Heights office to underscore launch of the plan. McGrath said the office sees about 300 people a day, most of whom now fill out or update applications at one of the 10 computers located inside a conference room rather than meet individually with a caseworker.

A team of two case managers can help up to 10 applicants simultaneously using the terminals, according to DSS officials. Two case managers can now conduct 70 interviews in a day. Previously, a case manager could handle about seven applicants a day, according to the department.

"It's like an 80 percent increase in efficiency. It's dramatic," McGrath said. "The staff is happier."

The program was unveiled as the state tries to come into compliance with a law that requires emergency medical benefits and food stamps be received by applicants within 30 days.

McGrath said the Hilton Heights office went from 63 percent compliance at the end of 2009 to 86 percent compliance through the end of February.

A Baltimore Circuit Court judge ruled in December that the state has until the end of this year to come into full compliance.

Last spring, the state was sued by an Owings Mills woman who had to wait more than two months for Medicaid benefits for her two children. Her case was joined by a city woman and a coalition of advocates.

Earlier this year, the state's Department of Human Resources was operating at about an 81 percent compliance rate.

Human Resources Secretary Brenda Donald said she would review the city's results before looking to expand in other jurisdictions.

"As goes Baltimore City, so goes the rest of the state," Donald said. She later added, "Clearly, the model and the concept is in our plan, and we're doing it to a degree at different places."

DSS officials said applicants seeking help at Hilton Heights are experiencing shorter waits. The office's lobby, which has seats for about 75 people, was nearly empty by mid-afternoon. In the past, McGrath said, filing an application was usually an all-day affair.Kweisia Durant, 19, waiting with her 11-month old daughter, Ra'Kell, to speak with a caseworker about collecting child support payments, was one of the few clients at the office Thursday afternoon. She was seen shortly after arriving about 1:30 p.m. "Nowadays, you know it won't be a long wait," Durant said.