Shutdown Threatens Food Stamp Recipients

January 14, 2019 10:57 pm

By Jordan Mazza

PROVIDENCE, RI (WLNE) — The government shutdown is now threatening those on food stamps.

“I think everybody’s losing,” said Tammi Wheeler of Providence. “There’s no winning here because everybody’s upset with each other. “

Wheeler says she’s most concerned about children.

“I’m worried about it, but I can always fend for myself,” she said. “But you’ve got children out there that can’t.”

According to the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, 15 percent of the state’s residents rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — or SNAP — to feed their families.

“Because it’s the longest shutdown, we are in new territory,” said Rhode Island Department of Human Services Director Courtney Hawkins.

And now the agency has to get creative to try to make this work.

February benefits have been preserved — but to comply with budget rules they will be issued early, on January 20th.

“It’s important that folks realize it will not be some sort of bonus distribution, and that there will not be another benefit distribution until March 1st,” Hawkins said.

She warns that if the partial shutdown continues into March, the benefits for that month will be at risk.

It’s a thought that really worries Tammi Wheeler.

“People are going to be hungry because they can’t balance their money the way they should,” she said. “The President’s messing up a lot of people.”

For those with January case actions, the Department of Human Services says approved recipients will receive February benefits on February 1.

For SNAP applications received after January 15, those approved will receive prorated benefits for January and full February benefits on their EBT cards by January 31.

DHS will have additional staff available by phone for recertification interviews and to answer questions. The number is to call is 1-855-MY-RIDHS (1-855-697-4347).