10/7/2022

Florida Department of Children and Families Requests Swift Approval of Innovative Approach to Disaster SNAP Benefits for Families

Today, Department of Children and Families (Department) Secretary Shevaun Harris called on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to approve Florida's application for Disaster-SNAP (D-SNAP) benefits. The Department has included in its request innovative strategies that will allow efficient and expedited delivery of benefits to those in need.

The Department’s request includes:

1. Serving the hardest hit counties first. By operating a telephonic application the Department will be able to serve those with the greatest needs first. Floridians will be able to complete the D-SNAP application with a phone call, instead of having to show in person, expediting the process and quickly putting food assistance benefits in the hands of those in need.
2. Hiring on additional call center staff to help solely with the D-SNAP process. By hiring a call center to help with the intake and application process the Department will be able to keep current staff focused on the day-to-day benefits operations, ensuring that there is no disruption to our current processing of benefits. 
3. DCF has requested approval for existing SNAP participants to receive the maximum benefit for their household size. Once granted, existing SNAP participants will receive the difference between their normal monthly benefit amount and the maximum amount allowable.

Secretary Harris said, “This community has gone through so much in the past week, and our Department is working to ensure that we offer families all the supports possible. The Department was very deliberative in ensuring the strategies deployed would reduce barriers to families accessing support and would ensure we could disburse benefits quickly to families. We are asking for swift approval so that we can move forward with getting this resource into the hands of families who need it.”

D-SNAP helps families who suffered losses or damage during a natural disaster by providing nutrition assistance. All requests are currently awaiting approval from the USDA.

Updated: Friday, October 7, 2022