SNAP benefits backlog continues to impact families across Tennessee
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Food stamp issues are starting to decline as officials with the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) said they are making improvements in fixing the application backlog.
FOX13 previously reported in late January that there were 35,000 outstanding SNAP applications.
DHS told FOX13 that it has reduced that number down significantly but families said they’re still struggling to get the benefits.
“They are telling us we have to wait six months for food stamps. I have 11 kids,” said Quneisha Coggbill, a mother.
A statewide backlog of applications for SNAP benefits continues to impact families who depend on the help across Tennessee.
Coggbill said she’s been waiting months for benefits to put food on the table for her family.
“We would be on hold, then I hang up the phone and try to call back. It’s another number, transfer to this number, this number. Why are we on hold? So then, we got to come up on a Friday, and now y’all saying, ‘We are too busy,’?”
‘Well, we are busy, too,” Coggbill said.
DHS Commissioner Clerence Carter said in late January that there were 35,000 outstanding applications for SNAP benefits.
Carter told lawmakers the department transitioned from a 32-year-old system to a new system, which slowed down the application process significantly.
“My fiancée has been waiting for our food stamps since October. It’s ridiculous. It’s not just me. it’s a whole lot of people going through the same thing,” said Marlo Brown.
But state Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis) told FOX13 DHS now has fewer than 5,500 outstanding applications pending older than 30 days.
“They’ve taken some of their staff and moved them over to the appeals space to take care of the appeals, and some of those that were 30 days behind or some of those who lost their eligibility were automatically moved to appeals to start to get them to eligible to receive their benefits,” Parkinson said.
DHS officials said all-hands-on-deck to clear the backlog of SNAP applications.
They’re encouraging customers to use the One DHS Customer Portal to track and manage your application.
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