Program Description
The Florida Food Stamp Program helps ensure that eligible low-income families and individuals are able to obtain a nutritious diet. Food stamp benefits are intended to supplement other household income and may only be used to purchase food. Other household items such as cleaning supplies, paper goods, clothes, alcohol or tobacco products may not be purchased with Food Stamps. Food Stamp recipients are able to purchase their food by using an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. This card may be used at any retail store authorized by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The amount of benefits received is based on the household size and financial circumstances. All Individuals who purchase and prepare food together are considered a family group for Food Stamp purposes and must have their eligibility determined together. To be eligible for Food Stamps family groups must have income and assets below the program standards. After adding all the family groups gross income, the case manager will make deductions to the family groups income. These deductions may include, but are not limited to, shelter (rent, mortgage or utilities), childcare or medical expenses. Other technical factors must be met for a family to be eligible for Food Stamps. These technical factors may include: - Work registration, having a job or looking for work
- Cooperation with Child Support Enforcement
- Citizenship or an eligible non-citizen status with INS, and
- Florida residency
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the State of Florida and fall into one of two groups: (1) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001, or (2) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 who share their household with a person or persons age 60 and over, or with a person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself). For either group, you must also have an annual household income of less than $13,284 if one person lives in the household; $17,808 if two people live in the household; $22,332 if three people live in the household; $26,856 if four people live in the household; $31,380 if five people live in the household; $35,904 if six people live in the household; $40,428 if seven people live in the household; or $44,952 if more than seven people live in the household.
Application Process
For more information, see the Program Contact Information below.
Program Contact Information
You can apply for Food Stamps at any Children and Families office.
The complete list of Children and Families offices in your area is available
at our Web site:
http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/ess/route1.shtml
Applications in Spanish are available at:
http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/ess/cf_es_2066_esp.pdf
To apply for this service you should complete the Request for
Assistance application. Applications in English are available
at:
http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/ess/cf_es_2066.pdf
If you are applying for SSI you can turn in a Food Stamp
application at the Social Security office.
Managing Agency
Florida
http://www.myflorida.com
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