The state Department of Social Services says computers at J.P. Morgan Electronic Financial Services have malfunctioned, and that means public assistance recipients can’t use their debit-style cards to access food stamps or cash assistance.
Other states affected include New York, Florida, Indiana, South Carolina, West Virginia, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. Also affected are the U.S. Virgin Islands.
A state spokesman says the situation is “fluid.” Here’s what a spokesman for J.P. Morgan said in a statement:
“We are aware of the technical issue affecting SNAP (Food Stamp) and cash benefit access in some states. We apologize for the inconvenience and are working quickly to resolve it. This does not affect debit, credit or other cardholders.”
The press release is below.
Information for news media about service disruption in electronic benefit transfer system for public assistance recipients:
- · Connecticut is one of ten states hit today with a computer breakdown in distributing public assistance benefits.
- · The Department of Social Services was notified this morning by its electronic benefit transfer (EBT) contractor of a service disruption due to computer problems.
- · This means: currently, DSS public assistance recipients cannot use debit-style ‘EBT’ cards to access benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/food stamp) or cash assistance programs.
- · The system disruption was reported by J.P. Morgan Electronic Financial Services, the contractor used by Connecticut and several other states to operate the EBT system.
- · Other states affected, according to J. P. Morgan: New York, Florida, Indiana, South Carolina, West Virginia, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania (as well as U.S. Virgin Islands).
- · JPMorgan is working to restore the system and will keep states informed today of its progress.
David Dearborn | Communications Director | CT Department of Social Services
Office of Public Affairs | 25 Sigourney St. | Hartford, CT 06106 | www.ct.gov/dss
Tele: 860.424.5024 | Fax: 860.566.2022 | david.dearborn@ct.gov
I have been calling the welfare office and just keep getting hung up on i went to but milk for my babies and it wasnt working and the people in the line were getting furstated with me…this is insane i hope they fix this problem soon…..