Covington County Department of Human Resources director Lisa Syler wants to warn people of a recent Facebook scam that could mislead Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients.

On Jan. 20, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program recipients received their February benefits early because of the government shutdown.

After the assistance was issued early, DHR immediately began counseling clients to budget their benefits.

“We are actually advising people to budget as much of the benefits as possible,” Syler said. “These are not extra benefits. They are just getting their February benefits early.”

But a misleading Facebook page that is being shared advises recipients to do the opposite, stating that recipients need to spend all of their benefits for the month of February as soon as possible.

Syler said that this is completely false, and reminds clients that the benefits have to last until March.

If anyone has any questions about their food stamps, please call the Covington County DHR at 334-427-7900.