Food Stamps

Now months after North Carolina started using a new computer program to handle social services, there are many people who are saying that they are experiencing problems with obtaining their food stamps benefits. Around 170 people in Granville County are complaining that they did not receive their monthly food stamps allotment on Monday. They may have to wait until the end of August in order to receive the correct amount. Counties throughout the state have been using the NC FAST system, also known as Families Accessing Services through Technology. They have had access to the program since March.

“With any new program, you’re going to have a certain amount of glitches,” said Lou Bechtel, county DSS director. Bechtel claimed that DSS staff members are still learning how to properly use NC FAST and that he didn’t know when the problems with the food stamp program would be handled and fixed. Ricky Diaz, a spokesman for the state Department of Health and Human Services has said that every county has a learning curve in being able to shift to NC FAST, and that the agency is trying to help them deal with problems. The state has sent support staff to some of the counties and there have also been others that have hired temporary workers to process applications.

Although there are a number of significant problems with NC FAST, it is not the only computer system to be able to cause problems for the state. A large number of Medicaid providers are considering suing the Department of Health and Human Services in the state due to the use of the NCTracks system. They claim that the system has created significant difficulties in being able to get reimbursed to health care services that are provided to the poor and disabled.

Due to the problems with NC FAST, there are many people within the state who are fearing that they are going to be going hungry during the period while they have to wait for their benefits to be provided. One woman shared that she only had two pieces of bologna and a piece of bread in her refrigerator. Another woman said that she only had a few cans of soup and green beans available to help feed her and her young teenage daughter.

To help make up for some of the problems that are being experienced with the food stamp program in North Carolina, there are a number of food banks that are providing food to the hungry. Churches are accepting cash and food donations for those in Granville County who do not have the ability to purchase food on their own. They are hoping that this will make it easier for struggling families to be able to have access to food until their food stamp benefits arrive. The food bank at First Baptist Church in Creedmoor is open from 9 to 11:30 am on Wednesdays. It is located on Main Street in Creedmoor. The phone number is 919-528-2351. Checks to the First Baptist Food Bank can be mailed to P.O. Box 38, Creedmoor, NC 27522.