Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is the nation’s most important anti-hunger program. SNAP provides nutritional support for low-income seniors, people with disabilities living on fixed incomes, and other individuals and families with low incomes. SNAP is a federal program administered by the Florida Department of Children and Families Office of Economic Self-Sufficiency (ESS). ESS is responsible for determining eligibility for SNAP using federal guidelines.
SNAP eligibility rules and benefit levels are, for the most part, set at the federal level and uniform across the nation, though states have flexibility to tailor aspects of the program. Individuals must pass all eligibility rules to receive food assistance benefits. Find out more about eligibility rules.
Ineligibility: Individuals are ineligible for SNAP if they:
- are convicted of drug trafficking,
- are running away from a felony warrant,
- purposely break Food Assistance Program rules,
- are noncitizens without a qualified status, or
- are a student who attends an institution of higher education at least half time, in some circumstances.
Households can use food assistance benefits to buy breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, dairy, and plants and seeds to grow food for your household to eat. Households cannot use food assistance benefits to buy nonfood items such as pet foods, soaps, paper products, household supplies, grooming items, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, food to eat in the store, or hot foods. For more information on SNAP Benefits, go to Food Assistance Program Factsheet.
The Electronic Benefits Transfer Card
Once approved for SNAP and/or TANF benefits, your re-loadable EBT card will be mailed to your mailing address on file. For more information, go to Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card.
The SUNCAP Program is a special Food Assistance Program for individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You may be eligible to receive food assistance benefits through the SUNCAP Program without any additional application, paperwork, or interviews. If you already receive food assistance benefits in the regular Food Assistance Program, you may be automatically put in the SUNCAP Program when you become SSI eligible. If your food assistance benefits will go down because of SUNCAP, you may choose to continue receiving your food assistance benefits under the regular Food Assistance Program.
Online Purchasing Pilot
Did you know as of May 2021, Walmart, Amazon, Aldi, BJ’s Wholesale Club and Publix are accepting SNAP payments online? More retailers may join the online purchasing pilot as it progresses. Updates and other important information will be shared with all SNAP benefit recipients as soon as it is available. https://myflfamilies.com/service-programs/access/snap/OPPFAQs.shtml.
Florida’s Pandemic-EBT Program
The Department has been approved to provide Summer Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) and will issue a one-time benefit of $375 per child to eligible students. P-EBT benefits will be issued automatically for those who are eligible. Households already receiving SNAP benefits will see the additional P-EBT amount on their existing EBT cards. Households that received P-EBT for School Year 2020-2021 will receive benefits on their existing P-EBT Card. Households that do not have an EBT or P-EBT card will receive a card in the mail with the benefits automatically loaded. Please check the website for updated information as it becomes available.
Fresh Access Bucks
Fresh Access Bucks (FAB), an initiative of Feeding Florida, is a USDA funded statewide nutrition incentive program that encourages SNAP recipients to redeem their benefits at farmers markets, produce stands, CSAs, mobile markets, and community grocery outlets to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. Find out more about Fresh Access Bucks here: https://www.feedingflorida.org/food-access/fresh-access-bucks