A backlog of food stamp applications is causing hardships for thousands of Alaskans throughout the state.
The policy and advocacy manager for the Food Bank of Alaska, Ron Meehan stated, “People are literally starving.”
State officials say staff shortages are being addressed through an “emergency contracting process” to focus on food stamp and Medicaid applications. Officials added that paperwork delays increased after pandemic-era emergency programs expired and food stamp recipients had to get re-certified every year again.
A state health department official says they’re still working on applications from October.