COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Families in Cobb County are among the latest to report food stamp theft.
“I’ve got a few friends that have them,” said Charlie Bean. “They’re like, it’s gone. Five, six hundred dollars are gone.”
Channel 2’s Courtney Francisco spoke with Bean as he was picking up food for friends who have no car to get to Must Ministries pantry in Smyrna.
“They have kids, and their kids are hungry,” said Bean.
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Workers at the pantry said theft is not the only problem clients are reporting, according to MUST Spokesperson Katie Ruth Camp.
“We’re seeing a lot of delays with people getting their food stamps, issues with renewals,” said Camp.
Georgia’s Department of Human Services said staff has been working overtime since October to relieve a backlog of SNAP renewals. In 2023, DHS donated $2.8 million to support the food banks forced to fill the gap.
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“For so many, food stamps are the only way that they can get food,” said Camp.
In response to the theft, DHS blames card skimmers and phishing schemes.
This month, DHS created a new security feature that allows clients to lock their SNAP cards when not in use.
DHS said in the last year, it has received more than 25,000 reports of fraud and has spent $7.5 million on reimbursements. You have 30 days to report theft or risk losing a refund.
DHS said it takes about 10 business days for clients to get reimbursed once their claim is reviewed and approved.
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