How to Qualify for Food Stamps in FL

Florida has a food stamp program available to low-income households who meet the eligibility requirements.

The Florida Department of Children and Families has an ACCESS Florida program that offers food stamps and other assistance to households that meet its eligibility requirements. Eligibility rules require the person applying for food stamps to prove her identity, be a Florida resident, provide a Social Security number, be a U.S. citizen, enroll in the workfare program, have less than $2,000 in assets, and fall below the established income criteria. There are steps you can take to determine if you qualify for Florida food stamp benefits.

Things You'll Need

• Social Security number
• Income information

Instructions

1. Visit myflorida.com to apply for food stamps online (see Resources). Select the option to access the pre-screening tool. Enter all of your information as prompted, and when you are done you will be given information indicating whether or not it appears you will qualify for food stamps. This is only a pre-screening tool and does not guarantee a refusal or acceptance for benefits.

2. Select the option to complete the food stamp application on the myflorida.com website. Enter all of your information for yourself as well as all household members. Be prepared to enter the Social Security number, date of birth, and relationship of each person.

3. Wait to hear from the ACCESS Florida food stamp program. Processing your application can take from one to six weeks. If the program office notifies you that it requires any additional information, send in the information immediately to avoid any additional delay of your application.

4. If ACCESS Florida determines that you are eligible for food stamps, your electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card should arrive in the mail. The ACCESS Florida food stamp program will send you the card as well as instructions on how and where to use the card, and will give you log-in information to access your EBT account online. You will receive this information at the address you listed on your application.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit one of the 3,000 faith-based or nonprofit emergency food sources affiliated with one of Florida's food banks during the food stamp waiting period if your family needs assistance during this time (see Resources).

References

• Department of Children and Families: Florida Food Stamps
• Highlands Today: Food Stamps in Florida--Are You Eligible?

Resources

• ACCESS Florida: Apply for Food Stamps
• Florida Association of Food Banks: Florida Food Bank Locations
• Food Bank Central: Florida Food Bank Locations in Central Florida
• Map of Florida Food Banks