ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — Several south Georgia residents have voiced their concerns after they say they suddenly can’t use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

On Oct. 19, WALB received several phone calls that people weren’t able to access their benefits. Residents said there was a long line at the Georgia Department of Human Services in Albany.

When WALB arrived, we spoke to a few individuals who were upset about the responses they received from the department.

Sadeirdra Canady says she hasn’t received her SNAP benefits in two months. On Monday, she says she was told that she wouldn’t get assistance until November.

“We just need help out here. Like, November. She just told me that I won’t hear from them until November. It’s October now. We need food,” Canady said.

Canady also said that the lack of response from the employees while trying to get help is frustrating.

“You got two people that’s at the window every day that we come here. The lines are long. Then, they move you over to a whole other line at 12 once they go to lunch. We’re still here all day for maybe two or three hours,” she said.

Venessa Goodman was trying to figure out what was happening with her TANF benefits (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). She said the response she got was nowhere near helpful.

“I talked to the lady at the window. She couldn’t give me any information. She went through my application, looked at it and then got up and was gone for 45 minutes,” Goodman said.

When the employee returned, Goodman said she couldn’t tell her what was wrong with her application.

In October 2025, the Georgia Department of Human Services announced new time-limited work requirements for “able-bodied” adults without dependents receiving SNAP benefits.

Under the rule, these applicants are required to work a minimum of 20 hours per week or 80 hours a month, effective in Nov. 2025, after the One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law by President Donald Trump in July.

During that time, early 12,000 people relied on SNAP in Dougherty County, according to the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services.

WALB has reached out to the Georgia Department of Human Services to ask whether the requirement is related to locals’ recent concerns.

Initially, the department said they are not aware of any widespread SNAP issues.

However in a updated statement, the department said, “Due to state and federal privacy laws, we cannot share the specifics of any case, but we can certainly look into these further.”

The agency also provided information on how Georgians can renew or recertify their SNAP benefits, and offered tips to protect themselves from fraud, including things like card skimming and cloning.

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