Department of Children and Families
Contributor
Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Shevaun Harris announced on Tuesday, Sept. 19, that DCF 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).
DCF will implement D-SNAP beginning Monday, Sept. 25, 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, DCF will begin by offering a telephone option to complete the D-SNAP interview. Households that call in to complete the application and 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 Secretary 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 Friday, Sept. 22 through Thursday, Sept. 28. Verification is required for certain elements of the application. Eligibility can be determined more quickly and easily if applicants provide a Florida Driver's 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 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT from Monday, Sept. 25 through Thursday, Sept. 28. Applicants will need to call the D-SNAP Call Center on the appropriate day based on last name:
- Any last name: Wednesday, Sept. 27.
- Any last name: Thursday, Sept. 28.
In the weeks ahead, DCF 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 United States Department of Agriculture food retailers. An EBT card cannot be used for alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or non-food items. More information about D-SNAP and DCF’s disaster response is available at myflfamilies.com/DSNAP.