Food stamps denied as part of government shutdown :: WRAL.com
Clay City, Indiana – Besides federal employees working without pay now some grocery stores are unable to accept EBT and food stamps due to the government shutdown.
Clay City's IGA has been turning away customers who want to pay with EBT and food stamps for a little over a week.
"It's going to affect it a lot. There is a lot of people around here that's on food stamps," said Rachel Lynch
The IGA has accepted this payment method for years.
"Our machines weren't taking any EBT cards and we didn't really know what was going on. We didn't know it was a technical issue. And then we found out it was due to the government shutting down , "Tristen Malone said.
Cashiers say customers are angry.
" They're really upset about it, which is understandable. I mean that's like, you know, really discouraging that they can't use it. I mean, we've had some people get mad about it but it's like out of our control, there's nothing we can do about it, "Malone said.
Until the government is up and running again, folks in Clay City will have to look for other sources for groceries.
"Rachel Lynch said," I say that food pantries are as good as people go there for food, "
Malone emphasized that her staff is just upset with the issue as their Customers.
She said as soon as the shutdown is lifted she is going to be able to get back to the needs of her community again