Alaska's monthslong delay dispersing federally funded food stamps to thousands of families has triggered a stern warning from the federal government that penalties could follow without prompt action.
Alaska is the only state to receive such a warning, issued in a five-page letter sent last month to the state's health commissioner-designee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to an agency spokesman. The department oversees the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP or food stamps, distributed by all 50 states.
In the letter to commissioner-designee Heidi Hedberg, USDA western regional administrator Jesus Mendoza Jr. said he is reiterating "grave concerns about the Alaska Division of Public Assistance's administration of SNAP."
