Mecklenburg County residents who receive food stamps may experience some delays in getting that assistance over the next several months. The county is transitioning to an online system called NC FAST that will make it easier in the long run to apply for all kinds of assistance through the state. But entering those applications will take extra time.
Rodney Adams with the county’s Department of Social Services says people should initially expect longer lines at DSS offices and in some cases delays in receiving food stamps.
“If there’s a delay we’ve set up processes and partnered with Loaves and Fishes, Second Harvest food bank to make sure that we can make sure that families continue to receive the food that they need if there’s a delay in us being able to issue their benefits,” says Adams.
Mecklenburg County has hired 55 people to help transfer food stamp applications onto the new system for the next several months. Counties throughout the state are going through the same transition process.
