Food allowance payments for people on low incomes were delayed because of an end-of-financial-year glitch, it was revealed yesterday.

But a spokeswoman for the Department of Financial Assistance said the money was transferred to food retailers on Monday and had now been received.

Several people expressed concern on social media after Judith Chambers posted a copy of a notice that the funds had not arrived in stores on the Facebook page Dispossession in Bermuda — Our Story.

Ms Chambers, the administrator of the group, said some people who benefited from the food allowance did not know about the delay.

She said she was not aware of the circumstances and would not be critical, but asked that, if there was a repeat in the future, that adequate notice be given.

She added: “I hate to think of someone who would have gone there on Monday morning and it was not there.”

Ms Chambers said she sympathised with the people affected and that something as critical as food, they should have been warned in advance.

Craig Cannonier, the One Bermuda Alliance leader, added that the Government should work to avoid a repeat. He said: “These are the most vulnerable people that we have; any day missed is impactful to them, so it is important that we give it as much attention as possible to avoid such instances.”

He added: “People in the positions of needing assistance, quite frankly, they don’t want to hear ‘administrative issues’, because this is routine, March 31 comes every single year.

“Any one day lost is seriously impactful on families who are living day to day.”

A government spokeswoman said: “During the interim situation, food vouchers were available to financial assistance clients.”

She added the credit or debit style cards normally used were back in use yesterday.

The notice, posted in stores this week, said that “Food Allowance for the April 2019 period (First Run) will not be available until later this week.”

People were asked to contact the financial assistance department for more information.

A Ministry of Health spokesperson explained: “The Department of Financial Assistance operates on a cashless basis.”

She explained that the funding to top up a person’s card is sent directly to stores, which ensure the correct amounts are provided to claimants.

The food allowance cards work like a credit or debit card and will decline when there are insufficient funds available.

Financial assistance recipients can also visit the online sites of stores to check their balances before they shop.

People who do not have access to computers can use a computer at the Department of Financial Assistance or visit the National Library on Hamilton’s Queen Street or the Department of Workforce Development.