CROSSVILLE, Tenn. — Every month on the 8th, Maria Morales and her husband Luis get their SNAP benefits from the government. The benefits, more commonly known as food stamps, help Maria buy food. 

She said she can’t work because she has epilepsy.

This month, Maria’s husband Luis went to buy groceries from Walmart when he said the card didn’t have any more money. He wasn’t able to use the SNAP card to buy food for his family

The stolen benefits amounted to about $441. 

She said she called the Tennessee Department of Human Services to see if they could help her buy food this month. The department sent her a new card but wouldn’t reimburse the stolen funds.

“We are currently unable to reissue stolen benefits at this time,” said Danielle Cotton, the Public Information Officer for the Department of Human Services, in an emailed statement. “However, TN’s plan for the replacement of SNAP benefits lost due to skimming and other similar fraud is currently under review by the federal Food and Nutrition Service and further details will be announced shortly once approved.”

Until then, Morales said her church and her neighbors have helped her get food and feed her family.