SNAP benefit delay leaves many struggling due to paperwork backlog
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX) — Many people across the country, including the borderland, did not receive SNAP benefits this month and in the coming months.
Officials said it was due to a backlog on their paperwork.
A single mother of three in Las Cruces told KFOX she would not be receiving SNAP benefits while the state processed her paperwork.
She said she heavily relied on SNAP benefits and it was the only way she could afford food and formula for her baby.
At this moment just not having those benefits, I don’t have food at my house right now," said a Las Cruces mom who chose to remain anonymous, "I tell them to eat their breakfast and lunch at school cause that’s all we can do right now and I’ll figure out dinner.She said she was told by the Income Support Division under the Human Services Department that they were behind on paperwork.
"All they told me is they’re three to four months behind on paperwork and that I’m just gonna have to wait. So, I just feel stuck, like I just feel stuck right now. There’s nothing I can do," said the mother.
The director of the Income Support Division, Karmela Martinez told KFOX they were behind on processing renewals, a challenge that presented itself as eligibility changed back to pre-pandemic rules.
The very first thing is when the federal government ended pandemic era related policies, the state was required to resume pre-pandemic procedures around application and renewal processing. This resulted in an increased amount of administrative work and this is being compounded by the fact that we do have a decrease in staff as well," Martinez explained.She said this mom was not the only one struggling with a backup in paperwork.
"Because the federal government allowed these waivers and flexibilities during the pandemic the majority of states are also in this same challenge of being able to provide that best customer service, so New Mexico is not alone," said Martinez.
Martinez said the Income Support Division processed renewals in the order it was received.
She added SNAP benefits would accumulate while people were waiting and would be given to them all at once when their paperwork was processed.She said they could not provide immediate temporary relief, and an option people had was to go to a local food bank.
"I went to the food bank and it’s really not enough, you know, and with the formula situation WIC only gives you seven cans and my baby kinda eats like a lot, so it’s kinda hard right now," said the Las Cruces mom.
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