WALDRON, Ark. — Households are required to renew their SNAP certification every six to 12 months, according to the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS).
One Waldron family says even though they've followed all the right steps, DHS isn't holding up their end of the bargain.
"What has happened to us and what has happened to a lot of families that I know of, we could turn our stuff in weeks and weeks beforehand. And then when our date comes, we're supposed to get our food stamps loaded, but they're not there," a mother of two, who asked to remain anonymous, said.
She is one of several Scott County SNAP recipients who have reached out to 5NEWS in recent days reporting a delay in benefits. She said food stamps have been a blessing for her family.
"We were supposed to have gotten ours loaded on May 8th. Today is the 13th," she said. "So towards the end of the month, we are running very low because we don't get a whole lot. We get about $300 dollars a month for food stamps. We have to stretch that out."
The woman claims she submitted her most recent financial report in March with no response back on her family's case.
5NEWS reached out to Arkansas DHS for comment. They sent the following statement:
"Case management staff process applications and renewals for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) every day. This team works to determine eligibility within 30 days, but this process may take additional time if applicants do not provide all required documentation. It's important that applicants provide this information, which includes details about income, bank accounts, and any online payment processing accounts like PayPal and CashApp."
As for this woman, she says she submitted her paperwork properly and hopes to receive her benefits soon.
"There are a number of families, I'm sure, that are going through the same thing not only here but in other small towns because of this issue," she said.
DHS tells 5NEWS it is now reviewing this family's case.
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