No LTC b/c PICS system down?

[warrior9504]

The Northampton and Lehigh County Sheriff Dept are saying that no more LTC will be processed b/c the state system (I assume they mean PICS) is down "until further notice."

Anyone have any info/insight on this?

[nater99]

None, but I got the same thing at Lancaster today. Apparently its been down since the 26th. The thing that really pisses me off is that I would have been able to get it done before that if someone in their mailroom had been on the ball. My postcard run through the postage machine on the 16th but didn't show up at my house until the 25th. I know it only takes 2 days at most for the mail to get from Lancaster to Ephrata.

[twency]

The Northampton and Lehigh County Sheriff Dept are saying that no more LTC will be processed b/c the state system (I assume they mean PICS) is down "until further notice."

Anyone have any info/insight on this?

They have no legal basis for refusing to review an application. And they have no legal basis for not issuing within 45 days* unless there is good cause to deny. PICS being down is not a valid reason for denial.

So if you want to apply (or renew) go ahead and submit the paperwork and application fee.


*or the next business day if the 45th day falls on a weekend or holiday

[vinlander]

This could be a BS tactic to keep applicants waiting, but hopefully it just means that the system is overloaded with people trying to get their LTCF.

[nater99]

My understanding is that it has something to do with a system they use when they actually issue the card. I had to drop off my application and received a post card stating I had been approved. I can't get my card because of whatever this problem is.

[Xringshooter]

PICS hasn't been down, I've done transfers just about every night from the 19th and did one tonight. For a while it was taking upwards to 45 minutes to get through and another 30 minutes if you had to talk to an operator but I was getting though. Sounds like they are using this as a reason to not process any LTCFs in their counties.

BTW, PICS have been doing approx 5000 checks per day since the middle of Dec. No wonde it's taking a while to get through.

[cmr076]

BTW, PICS have been doing approx 5000 checks per day since the middle of Dec. No wonde it's taking a while to get through.

Do you have any idea what a normal number of checks per day is?

[Fujisawa-sensai]

Sounds more like they don't want to sit at the phone all day waiting for PICS to pick up.

But that's BS. They can't refuse to process a completed application, that's against state law.

[staylo]

I don't believe it's an issue of not wanting to take the time for the background check. I got my postcard telling me my application is approved, to come to the sheriff's office to pick up my card, but when I got there they said they couldn't take my photo and give me the new card because the system needed to do that wasn't working.

[yukon375]

i picked up my renewal mon from the courthouse. mine was waiting for me but when i walked in i was told the system was down and they couldent process new apps. something about the system was down for 4 days for upgrades they said.