Confusion as SNAP Benefits Paid Out Early

Several recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Tennessee expressed confusion after receiving their monthly benefit for May last weekend, much earlier than expected.

Low- and no-income families in The Volunteer State received next month's check over the weekend, before their scheduled distribution date. Some of these families, faced with an amount that was more or less equal to the usual amount, assumed that it was an extra payment on top of April's check, Hannah McDonald of NewsChannel 5 Nashville reported.

The local news network published a post on Facebook on Monday asking Tennessee residents if they had been affected by a "SNAP benefit glitch" in their May benefits. By Tuesday morning, the post had gotten over 500 comments, among which there were several written by SNAP recipients who had received their May payment earlier. "Mine came early, I'm just going to save them till May. Unless it gets fixed," one user wrote.

"They have no idea how many families will be affected by this glitch," wrote another. "The whole system has been a mess for a hot minute. Not calling on appointment days. Having to hold for over 4 hours just to speak to someone to be told to be patient."

While some users pointed out that the earlier delivery of the payment didn't make much of a change, some recipients said that having to wait 40 days instead of 30 for the next check "made it harder."

Another user wrote: "I work in a big retail store... Since Saturday our shelves have been cleaned out. I also work up in the front of the store and yes the majority of people that I have rung up have been snap recipients. If they don't budget accordingly, there are going to be families with NO food come May."

The SNAP payment scheduled dates, as reported here by Newsweek, say that the food stamps should have been distributed to recipients in Tennessee between May 1 and 20. When SNAP recipients receive the entitlement depends on the state or territory in which they live.

It's unclear what caused May's monthly payment to be sent out earlier to recipients in Tennessee. Newsweek contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for comment by email on Tuesday morning.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services told NewsChannel 5 Nashville that, on April 20, benefits for May were made available to some SNAP and TANF customers earlier than their scheduled distribution date. "Today, we will be notifying affected customers via text message and email so they can plan accordingly," wrote the department on Monday.

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program helps low-income families with at least one child under 18 living at home, providing up to 60 months of benefits to help with expenses when people are out of work.

Are you a SNAP recipient who has received their May benefit earlier than expected? Contact g.carbonaro@newsweek.com.