D-SNAP
The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Idalia and who are not receiving food assistance benefits through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, D-SNAP is implemented by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).
PRE-REGISTRATION FOR D-SNAP BENEFITS BEGINS SEPTEMBER 22, 2023
Family Resource Support Center
The Family Resource Support Center serves as a central hub for the community to access needed resources and supports. The Department has staff on site, including Hope Navigators, behavioral health partners who specialize in disaster recovery response, and public benefit eligibility specialists to help individuals and families. The Department will continue to work with local organizations and partners across the state to expand the array of resources that are available to help meet the needs of impacted families.
Hot Foods
The Department of Children and Families has been approved to allow the purchase of hot foods with SNAP EBT benefits in Alachua, Baker, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Madison, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, and Wakulla counties to assist individuals affected by Hurricane Idalia.
This allowance is available at participating retailers in the eligible counties until September 30, 2023. Recipients should check with retailers before making purchases to ensure participation. Examples of foods that may be purchased include hot deli foods, salad bars, prepared sandwiches, and fountain drinks.
Mass Replacement
Residents of Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Pasco, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla:
The Department of Children and Families has been approved to replace 70% of monthly SNAP benefits for qualifying counties. Under federal requirements, the Department is only permitted to request replacement for recipients who did not receive their September benefits early. The Department will automatically replace a portion of benefits for households that received their benefits between the 15th and 28th of August. Benefits will be posted on eligible individual's accounts as early as September 5, 2023.
Replacement of SNAP Benefits
HOW TO APPLY
For residents of the following counties
Dixie, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor.
The period for food assistance for recipients who lost food due to Hurricane Idalia in the above seven counties was extended to September 19, 2023. SNAP Replacement has ended.
Latest Hurricane Idalia News
DCF Announces Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) in Response to Hurricane Idalia
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Department of Children and Families (Department) Secretary 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 Secretary Shevaun 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 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 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.
More information about D-SNAP and the Department’s disaster response is available at myflfamilies.com/DSNAP.
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