Wake County Human Services is trying to meet a growing need for assistance while, at the same time, trying to make budget cuts.

Human Services Board Chair Bill Stanford said services are in high demand at the department's headquarters in Raleigh and at its three regional offices

Stanford said requests for Medicaid benefits have increased 25 percent, while the wait time has doubled for people to use the department's Joblink computers, which help people search for employment.

Dozens of people waited in line Wednesday afternoon for such services as Medicaid, food stamps and employment help.

Vickie Smith said she came Wednesday to look for help paying her rent, but Smith said she was told she needed to have full-time employment in order to receive housing assistance.

Smith said her fast food employer cut back her hours because of the economy.

"I'm afraid to quit the job that I got because if I do that there'll be no income," she said.

Smith said she also applied for food stamps Wednesday.

All Wake County departments, including Human Services, had to submit budget cuts totaling four percent.

County Manager David Cooke is reviewing the proposals and will make recommendations to commissioners January 26.

Cooke said departments can expect to cut a total of 10 percent from their budgets by next year.

Stanford said the Human Services Department planned to not fill vacancies and limit support for groups like non-profits and faith-based organizations.

He said the department was so far planning to keep all its programs for residents, but that could change if the departments are forced to make further cuts.

Commissioner Lindy Brown said Wednesday that it will be important to rely more on federal and state funding.

"There are going to be some hard decisions in regard to county agencies. I don't want to cut any programs that will directly impact the quality of life for citizens of Wake County," Brown said.