Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – It’s believed to be a technical glitch, at a time when you might think it’s something else.

Senior citizens who have been given vouchers or coupons to shop at local farmers markets are being asked not to use them, due to what is believed to be a funds transfer issue through the Illinois Department of Human Services.

“Which means that the farmers cannot cash those in and get paid for the produce purchased with those coupons,” said Carolyn Austin, CEO, AgeLinc Area Agency on Aging for Lincoln Land, on the WTAX Morning Newswatch.  “They’ve asked us to stop the program temporarily while they fix that issue, and we’re not allowed to hand out any more coupon booklets until that issue is fixed.”

Austin says she’s not been given a timeline as to when the problem may be fixed.

The move comes less than a week after the “One Big Beautiful Bill” was passed in Congress — something Austin thinks may impact the program later, but doesn’t think this has to do with that.

“My guess is it’s not that, but it may have to do with layoffs at the federal level,” said Austin.  “But, that’s really just a guess.  I don’t know.”

Austin says she will let the public know as soon as she can when the issue is fixed.  Coupons started being distributed to senior citizens on Monday.  It was not long after that the state glitch was alerted to.

CLICK HERE for more information on AgeLinc.