MACON, Ga. — For nearly two months, Georgians have reported problems with state cash assistance payments given through what folks are calling the "Kemp cards." They're talking about declined transactions, money gone before it could be spent, and most recently, problems with activating the card.
"I was so excited about it. Of course, $350, you know? Everybody could use $350," Linda Peacock recalled about the day she received her assistance card.
Buying food, paying bills, and preparing for Christmas -- all ways Linda Peacock says she wanted to spend their state assistance, but quickly, her excitement turned into frustration.
"My husband went and he was standing right over at the kitchen. He was dialing this and dialing that, it denied. I said, ‘Well, let me go to my neighbor because he's got a computer,’ and it took me all day long on that computer and he still couldn't get it," she continued.
It's a story similar to many Georgians who say they've had problems activating the cards.
"When you say, 'Call this number,' don't keep piling on, piling on other stuff on the card, just activate the card, because some people's not going to worry this card and they will cut it up, and they need the money bad just like I need it," Peacock explained.
The state says since Governor Brian Kemp launched of the payments, they've sent out a $1 billion to almost three million Georgians, but just over half of that money has been spent.
Keith Busby says it's been three weeks since he received his card.
He told us the state letter gave him a PIN number, but it didn't work
"The information today on my letter and it wasn't the right numbers and that's part of the problems, so we tried to get a hold of a person to help us," he said.
He said he intended for the money to be used on Thanksgiving groceries. Days before the holiday, he says communications between he and the state Division of Human Services are at a full stop.
"Took us about 5, 6 minutes to get through, and then they said, 'We have an influx of people,' so they emailed us and said they were going to call us that day and never did," Busby said.
Peacock says the governor should have done more.
"If he really wanted us to get this off this card, he should've made it easier for us,” she said.
13WMAZ made contact with the state DFACS office Thursday. Since we spoke to both Peacock and Busby, we were told the office has contacted both individuals and activated their cards.
Recipients are directed to call 1-833-907-0683 to activate physical cards.