TAMPA, Fla. — Florida will become the first state in the nation to revise its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families plan to prohibit cash assistance benefits from being used to directly purchase a range of luxury, entertainment, and other non-essential goods and services, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced.
The changes apply to Florida’s Temporary Cash Assistance program, or TCA, which provides eligible families with benefits through electronic benefit transfer cards. The average household receiving TCA receives about $250 per month, according to the state.
“Taxpayer-funded assistance should help families put food on the table, keep the lights on, purchase clothing, provide for their children and overcome barriers on the path toward independence,” DeSantis said. “We will continue supporting Floridians who genuinely need assistance, while working to improve accountability and transparency so that these programs operate as intended.”
Under the amended TANF State Plan, TCA benefits will no longer be permitted for direct purchases of tobacco, nicotine and vaping products; drugs and intoxicants; pornography; video games; entertainment tickets; theme park admission; entertainment subscriptions; tattoos; spa and tanning services; and psychic or fortune-telling services.
TCA is intended to help families cover basic expenses such as food, clothing, housing, utilities, household goods and personal care. Florida also uses TANF funding for the Relative Caregiver Program, which provides assistance to relatives caring for more than 4,000 children statewide.
“Temporary Cash Assistance is designed to provide families with flexibility during times of need, and these commonsense changes preserve that flexibility while strengthening the integrity of the program,” DCF Interim Secretary Kate Williams said.
Florida already restricts the use of EBT cards for alcohol purchases and transactions at certain businesses, including adult entertainment establishments, casinos, gaming facilities, commercial bingo establishments, pari-mutuel wagering facilities and slot machine facilities. The state’s EBT vendor blocks transactions at prohibited locations.
The new policy will expand those restrictions to specific products and services sold by otherwise eligible retailers. State officials said the restrictions will be implemented in phases, beginning with retailers authorized to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and later expanding transaction-level controls.
The changes come after Florida implemented new restrictions under its Healthy SNAP initiative. Since April 2026, SNAP benefits in Florida have been prohibited from being used to purchase soda, energy drinks, candy and certain ultra-processed prepared desserts.
CareerSource Florida President and CEO Adrienne Johnston said the state is also working to connect assistance recipients with employment opportunities, job training, credentials, apprenticeships and other workforce programs.
“These efforts help ensure temporary assistance serves as a bridge to greater stability, independence, and opportunity for Florida families,” Johnston said.
