More than 34,600 SNAP applications overdue as Georgia works to address program backlogs WSB-TV Channel 2 [Video]

ATLANTA — Georgia’s food stamps backlog still has thousands of applications and renewals overdue, but the state says it’s making progress to finish addressing the backlog.

In the seven months since federal officials put Georgia on notice to address what they said were severe issues in the state’s management of nutrition assistance programs, progress is underway but thousands of applications are still waiting for review.

According to the latest data from the Georgia Department of Human Services, more than 34,600 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program applications are still waiting to be approved or rejected and more than 850 renewals are also waiting.

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Federal officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture first ordered the Georgia DHS to address the backlog in November. As previously reported by Channel 2 Action News, the application processing timeliness, or the rate of how quickly applications are reviewed, was below federal requirements.

As state officials worked …