More than 1,000 people showed up at the Department of Social Services (DSS) on Bridgeport's Housatonic Avenue Monday morning, many of them to report the thefts of their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps, off their state of Connecticut EBT cards, Mayor Joe Ganim said.

"It's outrageous that thieves are stealing SNAP benefits - as well as cash benefits - from folks who rely on those funds to eat, pay their rents, and provide for their families," Ganim said.

Bridgeport resident Michele Kave says she lost about $300 in SNAP benefits.

"It's not right. Why are you taking from those who have the least amount to give? It's wrong and I'm angry about it," Kave said.

Thieves steal the benefits using skimming devices at the point of sale and also by acquiring stolen PIN numbers, DSS officials said Monday. They advised recipients to report the thefts to both DSS and local police.

Stolen SNAP benefits will be restored to recipients after they alert DSS of the thefts, but that process will take 30 days, DSS said.

Cash benefits will not be restored, officials said.

Christine Nedley says she lost $464 in cash benefits Monday, which she was relying on to pay her rent.

"Now I can't pay my rent, and I don't know if my landlord is going to wait 30 days to get his money. It's wrong and I want to know what's being done to fix the problem," Nedley said.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal says the federal government needs to update technologies used to disburse SNAP benefits.

"The whole situation is unacceptable, and I will be pushing for immediate action to remedy it," Blumenthal said.