General Discussion

fleur-de-lisa

(14,624 posts) Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:46 PM Jan 2019

2,500 retailers unable to process food stamps; can't renew EBT debit card licenses due to shutdown

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-many-stores-cant-accept-food-stamps-during-the-shutdown

Judy Woodruff (NPR):

With the government shutdown now in its 27th day, many federal programs have been affected, including food stamps.

So far, there is no major lapse in benefits used by nearly 39 million people each month. That's because of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It found a way to pay SNAP benefits, as they are called, earlier than normal.

February benefits, awarded through a debit-style card used at stores, are being paid out this week. Several states, including California and Florida, are warning users to be careful and make sure they manage to make the money last longer.

For 2,500 retailers, the problem is already here. That's because those stores needed to renew a license for the Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT debit card program, and they failed to meet a deadline before the shutdown. Those renewals, required every five years, are on hold.

Kyle Griffin ✔ @kylegriffin1

2,500 retailers are unable to take any form of food stamps due to the government shutdown, because they need to renew EBT debit card licenses but can't.

6:30 AM - Jan 21, 2019

Link to tweet

10 replies

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2,500 retailers unable to process food stamps; can't renew EBT debit card licenses due to shutdown (Original Post) fleur-de-lisa Jan 2019 OP

Okay,this is Wellstone ruled Jan 2019 #1

+1 dalton99a Jan 2019 #5

It's a feature...not a bug. Thunderbeast Jan 2019 #2

This can be very problematic in small town or rural areas where there might me only one store Arkansas Granny Jan 2019 #3

my neighbor used hers this morning jodymarie aimee Jan 2019 #4

These would all be smaller retailer KentuckyWoman Jan 2019 #9

Shouldn't they publish the list so people are aware? AndJusticeForSome Jan 2019 #6

I'm sure they will post it on the grocery store doors womanofthehills Jan 2019 #10

Perhaps this will start to clue in a few of them that voted for Twitler Maru Kitteh Jan 2019 #7

we can hope Hermit-The-Prog Jan 2019 #8

Wellstone ruled

(34,661 posts)

1. Okay,this is

Reply to fleur-de-lisa (Original post)

Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:56 PM

Jan 2019

truly disgusting. BTW,this means millions in lost sales for Trump's mega donor Walton Family.

dalton99a

(81,455 posts)

5. +1

Reply to Wellstone ruled (Reply #1)

Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:18 PM

Jan 2019

Thunderbeast

(3,406 posts)

2. It's a feature...not a bug.

Reply to fleur-de-lisa (Original post)

Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:01 PM

Jan 2019

The Tea-Trumpsters are having their fantasies realized.

Grover Norquist's legions are finally drowning the Federal Government in his proverbial bathtub.

Arkansas Granny

(31,515 posts)

3. This can be very problematic in small town or rural areas where there might me only one store

Reply to fleur-de-lisa (Original post)

Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:15 PM

Jan 2019

for miles around. Some people might find it difficult to travel to another town for groceries.

jodymarie aimee

(3,975 posts)

4. my neighbor used hers this morning

Reply to fleur-de-lisa (Original post)

Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:15 PM

Jan 2019

at WalMart...I know, I drove her...

KentuckyWoman

(6,679 posts)

9. These would all be smaller retailer

Reply to jodymarie aimee (Reply #4)

Mon Jan 21, 2019, 03:12 PM

Jan 2019

A lot of these small retailers wait until the last minute to renew instead of doing so the earliest possible moment. Basically the letter comes telling them their permit expires in 30 days and they say "oh shoot".

Generally it only takes about 2 weeks to get the renewal.

AndJusticeForSome

(537 posts)

6. Shouldn't they publish the list so people are aware?

Reply to fleur-de-lisa (Original post)

Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:52 PM

Jan 2019

Thousands of people will find out only after they've done their shopping and filled their carts.

Publish the list so they can avoid wasting their time going to those stores?