EBT systems may be down nationwide

[BluegrassStateBlues]

NBC10 has received dozens of calls from both customers and store owners that access cards are not working.

But the problem, it seems is not only in Philadelphia. Customers all over the country have taken to Twitter to vent their frustrations with the sytem.

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Problems-With-EBT-Systems--227518221.html?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_PHBrand

[Pab Sungenis]

1. Shutdown related glitch?

[BluegrassStateBlues]

2. That was my first thought.

They went down without warning.

[durablend]

3. Meanwhile, tea partiers are cheering

"TAKE THAT YOU DEADBEATS!"

[BluegrassStateBlues]

5. Yeah, all kinds of that shit from teabaggers on Twitter.

Disgusting people.

[BluegrassStateBlues]

4. Ohio now.

10TV.com @10TV

#Breaking: “Glitch” causes some grocery stores to reject SNAP food cards, according to the Ohio Dept. of Job and Family Services. #10TV

[thecrow]

6. Ya think it's a repubic plot?

I have been suspecting they are the ones jamming healthcare.gov with denial of service hacks.
I have heard states with Democratic governors are having no problem accessing the site.
....and now the EBT system is having problems? Surprise, surprise.

[wingzeroday]

9. well

If that is the case Obama's NSA should figure it pretty fast and he will be addressing the nation soon to tell us what the Republicans did.

[BluegrassStateBlues]

7. UPDATE:

BOSTON (CBS) – A possible glitch in a computer system upgrade was causing major problems nationwide with the Electronic Benefits Transfer System on Saturday, as a countless number of shoppers found themselves stranded at the register.

Reports from around the country were coming in that customers’ EBT cards were not working in stores.

The glitch, however, did not appear to be part of the government shutdown. An EBT customer service representative told CBS Boston that the system was currently down for a computer system upgrade.

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/10/12/computer-upgrade-blamed-for-nationwide-ebt-system-shutdown-on-saturday/

Better repeal the SNAP program because of these computer errors. If they can't keep their systems running, people should go hungry.

[Sheldon Cooper]

8. Western PA too.

Saw it happen this afternoon when I was at the store.

[beaglelover]

10. It is down as of about an hour ago here in Los Angeles.

Was doing my weekly shopping at Ralphs in Studio City, CA and they announced that the EBT system was down.

[Jesus Malverde]

11. Jaimie Dimon might be losing money...oh noes.

JP Morgan Chase, you ask? Oh, yes, Jamie Dimon profits handsomely off the SNAP program and has for some time. JP Morgan, you see, makes many of the EBT cards that SNAP recipients use, and charges them a quarter every time they check their balance. With millions of EBT cards in circulation that benefit one in seven Americans, that’s got to be millions of dollars every month that Jamie Dimon rakes in, for doing exactly nothing productive.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022830995

[Junkdrawer]

12. Just got back from the supermarket. Staff were pushing carts up and down aisles returning food...

to shelves.

Announcements every 5 minutes over the intercoms.

[Junkdrawer]

13. Computer Glitch Blamed For Nationwide EBT System Shutdown On Saturday...

BOSTON (CBS/AP) - People in Ohio, Michigan and 15 other states found themselves unable to use their food stamp debit-style cards on Saturday, after a routine test of backup systems by vendor Xerox Corp. resulted in a system failure.

At about 9 a.m. Saturday, reports from across the country began pouring in that customers’ EBT cards were not working in stores.

At 2 p.m., an EBT customer service representative told CBS Boston that the system was currently down for a computer system upgrade.

Xerox spokeswoman Jennifer Wasmer released further details later in the afternoon in an emailed statement.

“While the electronic benefits system is now up and running, beneficiaries in the 17 affected states continue to experience connectivity issues to access their benefits. Technical staff is addressing the issue and expect the system to be restored soon,” Wasmer said. “Beneficiaries requiring access to their benefits can work with their local retailers who can activate an emergency voucher system where available. We appreciate our clients’ patience while we work through this outage as quickly as possible

....

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/10/12/computer-upgrade-blamed-for-nationwide-ebt-system-shutdown-on-saturday/

[The Straight Story]

14. My niece told me she got a call from a friend that Obama cancelled all the food stamps

I just shook my head and laughed and told her it was a computer glitch that hit up to 17 states, Xerox is on top of it, etc.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2013/10/12/food-stamp-debit-cards/2972713/

People just love to blame Obama.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

15. "Thanks Obama!"

According to some people, he is the start and end to all of our problems in this country.

[Le Taz Hot]

16. I was at the grocery strore early this morning

and they made an announcement over the loudspeaker that their EBT machinery wasn't working. Several people had to leave their full shopping carts and leave the store. They said the problem should be taken care of "in about an hour," not realizing, apparently, that this was a nationwide problem. I know those relying on their EBT cards are semi-panicked right about now.