Food and Nutrition Services clients (food stamp recipients) were notified last week that their February benefits were to be “loaded to your EBT card on Jan. 20” because of the federal government shutdown.

The “robo” call from the Department of Social Services also stated that “your January benefits are not affected and will be loaded to your card on the usual monthly date,” according to Brandy Mann, Tyrrell County director of social services.

Because recipients are getting their February benefits early, DSS cautioned clients to “please budget your food dollars wisely. Additional benefits cannot be added for future months until the federal shutdown is over.”

Clients with questions about their benefits are advised to call the EBT Call Center at 1-888-622-7328.

The robo call also stated, “If you have questions about the shutdown, please contact your member of Congress.”

Food and Nutrition Services benefits are administered by the county social services department on behalf of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.