Hundreds of reports on Twitter from many parts of the country indicate that Electronics Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards (the electronic version of food stamps) are not working this afternoon.

https://twitter.com/SweetKisses_86/status/389102224825397249

https://twitter.com/Annuh93/status/389102130830639104

https://twitter.com/kaybaby_96/status/389102161709518848

Some Twitter users are blaming the government shutdown:

Shit just got real, EBT cards turned off until Govt. Shutdown ends. (Maryland) — blue goose (@drivethruliquor) October 12, 2013

Mom saw a bunch of women crying bc their EBT cards dont work & now they cant feed their kids. Breaks my heart. #governmentshutdown — emily (@emabugg) October 12, 2013

Lol damn ebt shutdown. It's about to get really fucking real!!! — Fo' Da Ghost (@FoDaGhost) October 12, 2013

https://twitter.com/ATXChristina/status/389099841277538306

Wow… Government shut down has started affecting people.. EBT (bridge cards are off) ? my prayers go out to the families dependent on them — DD McCoy (@GetReady4Christ) October 12, 2013

https://twitter.com/MsHairChic/status/389098392682381313

https://twitter.com/eruditeleo/status/389088590078410752

Yeah it's really a "coincidence" that the EBT system is down during a government shutdown. How's the weather in your factless bubble? — Matt Murphy (@MattMurph24) October 12, 2013

Actually, it probably is a coincidence. According to CBS, the problems can be traced to a glitch in a computer system upgrade. The federal EBT website has been shut down, however, and people calling the customer service line were told to try again later in the day.

EBT benefits system down across Atlanta – Atlanta Journal Constitution http://t.co/VAHMVgpNE3 — Atlanta Tips (@atlantatips) October 12, 2013

@CBSPhilly A power outage in a facility that handles EBT cards is causing disruptions to the program in 17 states. — Bill Lind (@Bill_Lind) October 12, 2013

Nevertheless, if the problem is not fixed soon, things could get ugly.

https://twitter.com/LCNEALY/status/389088327988961280

Ahahaha Niggas in the hood about to be pissed !!!! Shutting down EBT gonna cause a riot fasho — … (@Azixz) October 12, 2013

https://twitter.com/handsumdevil/status/389096865771188224

Folks bout to riot about this EBT lmao my roommate probably gonna try and off herself ?? — #StyledByBD (@brittaneydenise) October 12, 2013

https://twitter.com/msprettysecret_/status/389094269816176640

ebt is down. there's about to be a muhfckn riot. — Daddy. (@SayNaiToDrugs) October 12, 2013

People gonna riot at acme #ebt — Cavs Addict (@cavsaddict) October 12, 2013

They tryna be funny cutting EBT food stamps in Cleveland, OH. Well, A hungry enough man will KILL. Government Shutdown 13' — John Lee (@JohnLee216) October 12, 2013

Nationwide EBT shutdown…? Folks can't eat….This is about to be all kinda bad. Folks about to riot. — RaShad (@ByRaShad) October 12, 2013

https://twitter.com/thebrokenplate/status/389102350356733952

Cuz lock your doors load your guns they cut off ebt cards nationwide — hovey watford (@HOVEYW) October 12, 2013

EBT ain't working, niggas about to starve. — _ (@AyoKeyy) October 12, 2013

4 PM please hurry up ! These people with ebt finna come with guns if they stuff don't work — kellie williams (@iTzMis_Kellie) October 12, 2013