SNAP Benefits helps people with low incomes have healthy foods. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, offers nutritional support to low-income seniors, people with disabilities living on fixed incomes, and other low-income individuals and families.
SNAP is a federal program administered by the Florida Department of Children and Families Office of Economic Self-Sufficiency (ESS), which is responsible for determining eligibility using federal guidelines. SNAP eligibility rules and benefit levels are set, for the most part, at the federal level and are consistent across the country, although states have flexibility to adapt aspects of the program. Individuals must meet all eligibility rules to receive food assistance benefits.
However, people are not eligible for SNAP if:
- They have convictions for drug trafficking.
- They are fleeing a felony arrest warrant.
- They intentionally break SNAP rules.
- They are not citizens without qualified status.
- They are students who attend an institution of higher education, at least part-time, in some circumstances.
Households with SNAP benefits can use them to purchase bread, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, dairy, and plants and seeds to grow food for family consumption.
They cannot be used to purchase non-food items such as pet food, soaps, paper products, household items, toiletries, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, vitamins, medications, store-bought foods, or hot foods.
What Is the Most Effective Way to Get SNAP Benefits in Florida?
The Florida Department of Children and Families says you can apply for assistance by providing only your name, address, and signing your application. However, they encourage people to answer as many questions as they can and sign their application as soon as possible. This will allow them to help you more quickly.
The process begins with the date the Department receives your signed application. It may take 7 to 30 days to process your food assistance application. In expedited cases, you can get food assistance benefits within seven days. Your answers on the application will decide if your household meets the criteria for expedited food assistance. Accelerated homes must have:
- Gross monthly income less than $150 and liquid assets less than $150;
- Gross monthly income plus liquid assets less than rent or home mortgage plus utility costs; either,
- Be a destitute migrant or seasonal agricultural worker with liquid assets of less than $100.
SNAP Benefit Schedule for September
In Florida, SNAP benefits are distributed monthly, with distribution dates ranging from the 1st to the 28th of each month. The schedule is determined by the 9th and 8th digits of the beneficiary’s Florida case number, excluding the 10th digit.
Here is the detailed schedule for September:
- 00-03: September 1
- 04-06: September 2
- 07-10: September 3
- 11-13: September 4
- 14-17: September 5
- 18-20: September 6
- 21-24: September 7
- 25-27: September 8
- 28-31: September 9
- 32-34: September 10
- 35-38: September 11
- 39-41: September 12
- 42-45: September 13
- 46-48: September 14
- 49-53: September 15
- 54-57: September 16
- 58-60: September 17
- 61-64: September 18
- 65-67: September 19
- 68-71: September 20
- 72-74: September 21
- 75-78: September 22
- 79-81: September 23
- 82-85: September 24
- 86-88: September 25
- 89-92: September 26
- 93-95: September 27
- 96-99: September 28
Learn in Detail What SNAP Benefits Are
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is the largest nutrition assistance program, providing benefits to low-income individuals and families through an electronic benefit transfer card. This card works like a debit card and allows you to purchase eligible groceries at certain authorized retail stores. To be eligible, you must live in the state where you apply and meet certain bank balance limits. If you want to learn more or apply, you can call your state’s SNAP line at 1-800-221-5689.