0 9 Investigates: New state computer system creating backlogs of food stamps

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Many people in Mecklenburg County are not getting their food stamps on time.



The Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services serves 80,000 households on food stamps.



No one is giving an exact number on how many of those are having to wait longer than usual.



Kristi Adams said it's, "stressful, real stressful."



The backlogs are because of a new computer system called NC FAST.



The new systems is supposed to make life easier for DSS customers, to make it more of a one-stop shop, but it hasn't gone smoothly in many counties, especially with the latest upgrade last month.



So Eyewitness News reporter Jason Stoogenke went to Raleigh to get answers.



The state's social services director, Wayne Black, promised to have things back on track within two weeks.



"I think that's where we will be in another week or two," he said. "We're working hard. And we are ambitious because we want folks to get their benefits."



Local insiders told Channel 9 they will believe it when they see it and are struggling to pick up the slack in the meantime.



Mecklenburg County leaders put out a memo, saying they're paying "temporary support staff and overtime" and relying more on food banks, including Loaves and Fishes.



"Our volunteers are feeling it here at the pantries, and we're definitely feeling it in our warehouse where we're having to make more deliveries to our pantries to keep the shelves stocked with food. We're feeling it all over," said Sue Bruce.



She said DSS is sending twice as many people her way, maybe more.



The state admits it's not picking up the tab, but it is sending out experts to DSS offices across the state to help counties tackle their backlogs.



For example, Union, Cabarrus, Rowan, Iredell, and Gaston counties are each getting two and Mecklenburg County is getting 12.



But Adams said, "They get to go home every night and eat dinner while we have to figure out who we're going to borrow money from to go get groceries."



In the meantime, officials said the best strategy is to get your paperwork in as quickly as possible and, if you are already getting food stamps on time, yours should stay that way.



The state is now sending county DSS offices extra workers to help with NC FAST.



Check out how many your county is getting here.