FLORIDA — Many Floridians are frustrated this month with their SNAP benefits, saying they were shocked to see they got only a portion of what they were slated to receive, leaving them scrambling to make ends meet.

Antonio Clark started his own little garden to try and grow some food for himself. 

He is concerned seeing that his SNAP benefits for the month was nearly half what he expected

“I have to rely on my family’s food stamps as well to survive because I can’t do anything else, so I am either going to my grandmother or my mom to get some of their food stamps," said Clark.  

He said he hasn’t received his unemployment either, making it hard for him to pay his bills. 

“I don’t have anything, my rent is passed due for 8 weeks and now I am in the hole, stamps are messed up and now I can’t pay for my mental health medications either,” said Clark. 

Community activist Vanessa Britto said he is not alone. 

“It just feels like another blow to people who are really just trying to get by and get past this,” said Britto.

Since the beginning of the month, she said she’s gotten hundreds of calls daily from people dealing with the same issue. 

“Families who are relying on government benefits and assistance like unemployment right, they depend on those SNAP benefits to feed their families," she said. "Not knowing what was going to happen this month really has thrown everybody for a loop because they were not able to play ahead."

Since last year,  many have been receiving the maximum allotment of SNAP benefits — an option thats been extended through September under the American Rescue Plan, explained Britto. She said the governor approved the maximum allotment to be provided for April on Wednesday, while he had approved it much earlier in past months. 

“The maximum allotment for February and March is already part of the American rescue plan. Those guidelines should have already been in place — so what made that different?" she asked. "That the governor was late in extending the maximum allotment waiver, I mean what was it?” 

Spectrum News 13 asked the Department of Children and Families about the issue and they say the federal government changed policies this month, which required them to put new measures in place, which then delayed approval from the state. They say those who usually receive their monthly benefits before the 17th will now get them on April 17. Everyone else will get them as scheduled. 

"Not only is it unacceptable that this delay has occurred and and that we have no idea when it is coming, it is also unacceptable that they are providing no resolution,” said Britto.

Clark worries there is nothing preventing this from happening again next month. 

“Next month will be the same thing if I don't get them, back to the same thing, going to food banks or depending on banks," he said.