ATLANTA — Georgia food assistance recipients say they won’t receive their November funds if the government shutdown continues.
After the state announced a 10-figure budget surplus, those recipients say it should be used to make sure they can put food on the table.
Right now, there is no emergency state fund to help families when their benefits are hacked or delayed.
Recipients say if they don’t get funds for November, it may mean food pantries won’t have anything on the shelves in time for Thanksgiving.
“Were you able to have a Thanksgiving dinner?” Channel 2 investigative reporter Ashli Lincoln asked SNAP recipient Brenda Caslin.
“Umm, no,” Caslin said.
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Caslin fears this year will be the same after learning the federal government shutdown could delay food benefits for more than 1 million Georgians.
“I was very upset,” she said.
Caslin’s state-issued Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program account—known as SNAP—was hacked last year, costing her more than $1,000 over five months.
“I freeze my meat because I don’t know when my benefits are going to be hacked again,” Caslin said.
She fears she will lose her benefits again.
The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture is warning that money for food stamps will run out next month if a budget isn’t passed.
The USDA is directing regional SNAP directors to stop preparing November benefits, according to a letter dated on Oct. 10.
“We are forced to direct states to hold their November issuance files and delay transmission to state EBT vendors until further notice,” the letter said.
“It’s something that needs to be done,” Caslin said.
For the last three years, Lincoln has spoken with SNAP recipients across Georgia who’ve had their benefits stolen by hackers, many still waiting for reimbursement.
On Friday, the state of Georgia released its revenue and reserve numbers, showing a $14.6 billion surplus.
Lincoln asked if the state would consider using the surplus to cover hacked or delayed SNAP benefits.
A spokesperson sent her a statement, saying: “We understand how important SNAP benefits are to Georgia families and are closely monitoring the situation.”
State Rep. Marie Stinson said lawmakers are working to craft legislation to provide long-term funding for replacement benefits.
“We want to make sure that people in Georgia know that legislators really understand and are concerned about what’s happening,” Stinson said.
“I pray that everybody gets their stamps in November, and I pray that the government will open up,” Caslin said.
Caslin said she’s also having issues locking her SNAP account, a feature meant to stop hackers from stealing funds.
Lincoln asked the state if it’s getting reports of this. It said it’s looking into it.
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