Chaos Erupts over Glitches with Food Stamp System

Walmart accepted cards that weren't showing limits. Mayhem ensued.

Louisiana is one of at least 14 states that experienced a shutdown of its food stamp system Saturday. Xerox Corp.–food stamp vendor–performed a routine check that resulted in a system failure. Access to food stamps has been restored, Xerox says, but not without major setbacks for stores and vendors.

Walmart shelves at Springhill and Mansfield, La. locations were completely cleared Saturday night after stores allowed purchases on Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, even though cards were not showing limits, according to KSLA News 12.

The shelves weren't merely cleared, they were annihilated (see video below), ultimately requiring intervention from local police. Springhill Police Chief Will Lynd confirmed that they were called in to help Walmart employees prevent shoplifting and theft.