Mecklenburg County Food Stamp Backlog Remains For More Than 10 Years

The Mecklenburg County DSS has been asked why the paperwork problem is keeping food off the table for thousands of families. The county has a constant backlog of recertifications for SNAP Benefits or food stamps.

Mecklenburg County has a constant backlog of recertifications for food [Photo: The US Sun]

Backlog Issues Have Not Been Resolved

According to Madison Carter, the Department of Social Services said there were significant increases in new applications and recertifications. On Wednesday, Channel 9 was told that more than 1,000 families didn’t get their benefits on time because North Carolina stopped processing the waivers and facing staffing challenges. Once the recertifications get processed the delay is another problem because beneficiaries only rely on food stamps to have food to put on the table.

One of the beneficiaries Jennifer Bustle has three children, reached out to a reporter Madison Carter asking for help after she said she was blindsided by the backlog. Bustle said her schedule for food stamps is every 17th of the month but they always run out within a week or two without letting them know so they could try to plan something.

But later on, Mrs. Bustle learned the backlog is a constant battle for the county. Mecklenburg County Commissioner Pat Cotham explained to Madison Carter how the department is planning to process those cases. The most basic services a county government can offer people facing food insecurity, Mecklenburg County ranks among the worst in North Carolina is to recertify food stamp benefits in a timely manner.

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