D-SNAP deadline extended until Saturday

Hundreds of residents like Benny San Nicolas from the village of Dededo took the day off work to wait in line at the D-SNAP application sites.  

"It’s for the family because we lost food with the deep freeze. A lot of food," he said. 

While he doesn’t mind the wait, he’s worried about the heat. 

"I’m just worried about the heat stroke. I don’t see any medics out here, what if somebody has a heatstroke? That’s my biggest concern, the people out here under the sun," San Nicolas said. "It would be nice if there are some medics out here checking if anyone is okay but I don’t see that being established out here."

Further up the line, Ronald Torres, also from Dededo, has been under the sun for four hours, all to ensure he can feed his family. 

"We didn’t work for two weeks. For two weeks, we had no work," he said. "That’s why it helps a lot. My home got wet, my ceilings fell down. my entire ceiling tiles fell down. In God's grace, we recovered already."

The long at the Guam Premier Outlets on Tuesday lines stretching all the way to the former Forever 21 store. The high volume of applicants is why the Department of Public Health and Social Services is extending the deadline to this Saturday. 

About 13,000 people have already applied since Sunday. 

As Barrigada resident Kyle Tass waits his turn under cloudy skies, he’s grateful for the three-day extension as the wait even reached the main road. 

"We just got word. We received the notification this morning," he said. "We’re excited to see more people get the benefits. A couple people didn’t have any umbrellas, (the line) actually wrapped around the building for a little bit, we were even on the main roads. It’s scary for people out there."

Meanwhile, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero addressed  why applications must be submitted in person and not online.

"Many of you have asked why there is no online application," she said. "Setting up an online application system would have taken longer to get these benefits to you. As it is today, when you apply you will be issued your EBT card."

Still, Public Health says that those EBT cards may not be filled within the original 72 hours. Applicants may now have to wait five to seven days to see those benefits.

Public Health officials added lines can be cut off depending on the length of the line. This will be determined on a day-to-day basis.

Also a reminder to applicants to bring an umbrella, chair, drinks, snacks and to take your medication.