Missouri residents having a hard time getting SNAP benefits

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri residents who rely on the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are having a hard time receiving their benefits according to a lawsuit uncovered by KMOV in St.Louis.

Gov. Mike Parson says the call center needs to be built up to handle the influx of calls it receives to handle more cases as demand has increased for the program and that the state needs to do a better job.

"I think it's a combination of how do you handle that many calls, the influx of calls that are coming. You know, I think the last that I knew is about 500 behind there on that and we just have to do better than that," Parson said.

The governor also says that those who do use the SNAP program should not contact the state first but, instead try local resources first.

Parson said, "I think one is to make sure people let people know that they can go sign up on the local levels, I think a lot of them kinda go to the state and think this is where you do but I think you also have to remind people to do it on the local levels to and then we are going to do out part."

In the investigation done by KMOV, it uncovered the lawsuit is suing the state over some issues like long wait times to get through the call center for their benefits.

Other allegations include people who are applying for/or renewing benefits are directed to the call center that is short-staffed and more than 50% of denied applications were due to applicants not being able to complete the interview.

Applicants have claimed they waited for hours on hold with hundreds of people ahead of them in line and then being disconnected before someone answered.

ABC 17 News did reach out to the Missouri Department of Social Services for comment but did not hear back.