SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — Many of the tens of thousands in Shelby County who rely on food stamps are continuing to complain they have not been getting the assistance they are eligible for, even as officials have said the root issue, a software move, has been solved.
“They need to come up with a solution. Before they changed over, they should’ve had a Plan B,” said 67-year-old Gwendolyn Dodson, who depends on food stamps.
Like others in the Mid-South, she said that since last summer, the food stamp program has been failing her.
“They tell you they're going to call for an interview. They never call. They send you letters stating that you will receive this and that on the next month. It never happens. It's just frustrating,” she said.
The Tennessee Department of Human Services blames the issues on a software change that has been resolved, but relief can't come fast enough for those whose cases are stuck in the backlog.
“What are we supposed to do until March? It's ridiculous. I thought the way they were doing it at first was fine,” Dodson said.
Dodson has numerous health issues that make it difficult for her to get down to the food stamp offices physically, making the communication breakdowns particularly challenging.
“I’m just giving this to God, that's all I can do. I pray and hope they get their system together. There are people out here that are really desperate and really need it,” she said.
The food stamp program is administered at the state level in the US but is federally funded.
ABC24 has reached out to Mid-South U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen on this issue, but we have yet to hear back.