On Wednesday, Department of Children and Families (DCF) Sec. Shevaun Harris announced that the Department will implement the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).
D-SNAP provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Idalia who are not receiving food assistance benefits through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The Department will implement D-SNAP beginning September 25, 2023, for individuals who live or work in Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor Counties. To ensure the fastest service to households who are eligible to receive benefits, the Department will begin by offering a telephone option to complete the D-SNAP interview. Households that call in to complete the application/interview process will not have to go to an on-site location to apply when the in-person event is scheduled.
“The Department is working around the clock to provide critical resources to Florida families affected by Hurricane Idalia,” said Harris. “Our goal is to provide crucial support to families as quickly and efficiently as possible. Taking advantage of the call in option will enable eligible families to receive their D-SNAP benefits sooner and eliminate the need to apply in person.”
Who is Eligible for D-SNAP assistance?
To qualify for the D-SNAP benefits program, applicants must:
Not be receiving SNAP through the regular program.
Have been living or working in an identified county at the time of the disaster.
Have suffered a disaster related loss such as:
damage to their homes or self-employment property
loss of food
reduction or loss of income
other disaster related expenses
Meet financial eligibility requirements.
How to Apply
Step 1: Pre-register on the D-SNAP website at: myflfamilies.com/DSNAP
Pre-registration will be open for Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor counties from September 22-28.
Verification is required for certain elements of the application. Eligibility can be determined more quickly and easily if applicants provide a Florida Driver License or Identification Card number and a Social Security number.
Step 2: After an applicant completes the pre-registration process in Step 1, the applicant must complete an interview by calling the D-SNAP Call Center at 888-348-0408 or 855-278-7136. The D-SNAP Call Center will be open from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM EDT from September 25-28.
Applicants will need to call the D-SNAP Call Center on the appropriate day based on last name:
Last name begins with A-M: Monday, September 25
Last name begins with N-Z: Tuesday, September 26
Any last name: Wednesday, September 27
Any last name: Thursday, September 28
In the weeks ahead, the Department will hold in-person D-SNAP events for individuals in Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor counties who are unable to pre-register at this time and complete the phone interview.
Benefits Available
Eligible recipients who complete the D-SNAP phone interview will receive an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card by mail, that can be used to purchase food at authorized USDA food retailers. An EBT card cannot be used for alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or non-food items.
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