NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Starting Monday, many participants in the Tennessee Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) may have to wait a little while longer to receive their payments. The delay will only occur in October and allows the state switch to a staggered payment schedule.

Beginning next month, recipients will begin receiving their payments sometime between the first and tenth day of the month, with the date determined by the last two digits of their Social Security Number. The amount of the benefit will not change.

SNAP recipients whose payment dates were pushed back did not receive any extra funds last month to cover the difference, the state said. Instead, it asked grocers to donate to local food banks to accommodate anyone who may need food while they wait for their payment. The Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association also provided signs leaflets for grocers to remind customers they may need t stretch their dollar a bit further this month.