Food Stamps Delayed

Tennesseans who rely on what used to be called food stamps will have to wait longer than usual for their benefits this month. The change came at the request of grocery stores. In all, more than 1-point-3 million individuals now get those benefits, and all of that money is made available in the first 10 days of the month. Grocery stores say they get hit with too much business in too few days. They asked the state to stretch out its schedule, by staggering the benefit payouts over a period of time that’s twice as long. Starting this month, the stores will get their way, but what’s good news for grocery stores will mean a difficult month for most people who get that assistance. The reworking of the schedule means that more than two-thirds will have to wait anywhere from 4 days to a week and a half longer than they’re used to.