EBT/SNAP recipients without kids, I have a complicated question.

I applied for EBT in IL in January and was approved but haven't received any benefits yet. They now have now have the welfare to work program now, I was supposed to go to a work development appointment last week but completely forgot about it. Now I have a letter saying I need to go to a reconciliation appointment, and provide "good cause" why I didn't attend or I may lose my benefits (That I haven't even received yet). Has this happened to anyone else? And if I applied in January, have no income or assets, why would they wait to give me any until March?

TL;DR I need food and a better memory. Thanks for any help