SNAP returning to Georgians: what to expect

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) -Thousands of Savannah residents still await their SNAP benefits to return after funding was supplied when the government shutdown ended.

While some states received their benefits within 24 hours, the director of SNAP said it could take time until others are processed.

“States that did not issue full benefits earlier will need to resubmit their files to their EBT vendors for processing, which may take a few additional days,” said SNAP director Gina Plata-Nino.

Still, the benefits are returning now that the government is reopening.

“We’re just relieved that it’s finally come to an end,” said Old Savannah City Mission director Jermaine Ray.

Places like Old Savannah City Mission have been stretched thin during the shutdown due to an increase in food insecurity.

“It’s 50 to 60 more people a night,” Ray said.

They aren’t alone though.

“We’ve got a lot more inquiries from people that have never been to a food bank or a food pantry,” said communications director for Second Harvest, Stephania Brown.

Second Harvest watched as demand for food drives rose rapidly, and are say SNAP coming back before the holidays will help keep a healthy stock of food for afterwards.

“We’re very thankful for all of that happening now because once Thanksgiving and Christmas are over, people are still going to be hungry and we need to have the food here to make it available for all of those,” Brown said.

This problem isn’t over though, and could last through the holiday season.

“it’s kind of like being in a traffic jam, once the first car gets going it’s not a flood of cars all of a sudden, it’s a slow trickle so we will be feeling the effects for probably through Thanksgiving and close to Christmas,” Brown said.

Second Harvest held a food drive earlier today, and one lady who attended drove two others so that they could be fed after not having enough money.

“I think it’s a great impact to try to help any individual that you can throughout the city of Savannah,” said Savannah Resident Stephanie Flowers.

Organizations like Old Savannah will help bridge the gap for SNAP recipients as the government reopens.

“We’re still gonna give out food boxes until we know that snap benefits have been fully restored to Savannah,” Brown said.

WTOC will keep you up to date with the latest on SNAP benefits and when they fully return to Georgians.