While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, helps eligible low-income individuals and families buy the food they need to stay healthy in the form of monthly benefits.
SNAP uses Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to distribute the benefits.
The Florida SNAP food assistance program is administered by the Department of Children and Families. Learn more about SNAP on the Florida Department of Children and Families website here.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase approved food items. These include:
See a more comprehensive list of what you can buy with SNAP benefits here and a list of approved snacks and meal supplements here.
There are also food items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, including alcoholic beverages and hot prepared food. See a comprehensive list of what you cannot buy with SNAP benefits here.
SNAP provides monthly benefits, known as an allotment, to eligible households. The allotment amount you can receive is based on 1) the number of people in your household and 2) your household income.
To calculate your allotment amount, multiply your household’s net income by 0.3 and then subtract that number from the federal maximum monthly benefit amount in the table below.
| Household Number | Federal Maximum Allotment Per Month |
| 1 | $291 |
| 2 | $535 |
| 3 | $766 |
| 4 | $973 |
| 5 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $1,386 |
| 7 | $1,532 |
| 8 | $1,751 |
| Each additional household member | +219 |
You have one year (365 days) to use your allotment or the benefits on your EBT card will be canceled.
To learn more about your benefit amount in Florida, check out page 3 of the Food Assistance Program Fact Sheet here.
To qualify for SNAP in Florida, you must meet the following requirements:
Learn more about Florida’s income limits and other eligibility criteria here.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Florida Food Stamps program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.
Find a list of what you need to apply here. You can view a copy of the application in English here, in Spanish here or in Kreyòl here to see what information is required.
To apply for SNAP online, create an account on Florida’s benefits portal here and fill out the SNAP application.
To apply for SNAP in person, click here to find the nearest Florida Department of Children and Families office location.
To apply for SNAP by mail, fill out the benefit application and send it with copies of your necessary documents to the nearest Florida Department of Children and Families office location. Find local contact information here. You can also mail your application and documents to:
ACCESS Central Mail CenterP.O. Box 1770Ocala, FL 34478-1770
To apply for SNAP by fax, find the fax number of the nearest Florida Department of Children and Families office location here.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Florida Call Center Main Line at 1 (850) 300-4323 or 1 (866) 762-2237. Phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
After you have submitted your application, you will need to complete an interview. The interview may be in person or by telephone.
If documents are missing from your application or the Department of Children and Families needs more information from you to finish processing your request, your application will be delayed.
If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 30 days of your determination letter unless you are eligible for expedited services, which give you benefits within only 7 days. You may be eligible for expedited food assistance if:
Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP on page 4 of the Food Assistance Program Fact Sheet here.
SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 356-3281. You can also check your balance online here.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Florida Department of Children and Families, you can appeal your decision online, by mail or by phone within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.
To file an appeal online, click here.
To file a claim by mail, you will need to write a letter that includes the following information:
When filing an appeal by mail, you must also enclose a copy of your determination letter and send it to:
Appeal Hearings Section
1317 Winewood Blvd., Bldg. 5
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700
To file a claim by phone, call 1 (850) 488-1429
For more information on the appeal process, click here.
You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 9356-3281 or online here.
Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the Florida Department of Children and Families EBT card page here.
If you have not received your EBT card within 10 days of receiving your approval notice, call 1 (850) 300-4323 or 1 (866) 762-2237 for assistance.
If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call Florida’s EBT customer service number at 1 (888) 356-3281.
You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a Department of Children and Families office in Florida.
For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits or for any further questions about your application, call the Florida Call Center Main Line at 1 (850) 300-4323 or 1 (866) 762-2237. Phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET.
You can also visit or call a local Department of Children and Families office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
Last Updated: February 2, 2024
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Florida Food Stamps program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.
Find a list of what you need to apply here. You can view a copy of the application in English here, in Spanish here or in Kreyòl here to see what information is required.
To apply for SNAP online, create an account on Florida’s benefits portal here and fill out the SNAP application.
To apply for SNAP in person, click here to find the nearest Florida Department of Children and Families office location.
To apply for SNAP by mail, fill out the benefit application and send it with copies of your necessary documents to the nearest Florida Department of Children and Families office location. Find local contact information here. You can also mail your application and documents to:
ACCESS Central Mail CenterP.O. Box 1770Ocala, FL 34478-1770
To apply for SNAP by fax, find the fax number of the nearest Florida Department of Children and Families office location here.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Florida Call Center Main Line at 1 (850) 300-4323 or 1 (866) 762-2237. Phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
After you have submitted your application, you will need to complete an interview. The interview may be in person or by telephone.
If documents are missing from your application or the Department of Children and Families needs more information from you to finish processing your request, your application will be delayed.
If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 30 days of your determination letter unless you are eligible for expedited services, which give you benefits within only 7 days. You may be eligible for expedited food assistance if:
Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP on page 4 of the Food Assistance Program Fact Sheet here.
SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 356-3281. You can also check your balance online here.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Florida Department of Children and Families, you can appeal your decision online, by mail or by phone within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.
To file an appeal online, click here.
To file a claim by mail, you will need to write a letter that includes the following information:
When filing an appeal by mail, you must also enclose a copy of your determination letter and send it to:
Appeal Hearings Section
1317 Winewood Blvd., Bldg. 5
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700
To file a claim by phone, call 1 (850) 488-1429
For more information on the appeal process, click here.
You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 9356-3281 or online here.
Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the Florida Department of Children and Families EBT card page here.
If you have not received your EBT card within 10 days of receiving your approval notice, call 1 (850) 300-4323 or 1 (866) 762-2237 for assistance.
If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call Florida’s EBT customer service number at 1 (888) 356-3281.
You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a Department of Children and Families office in Florida.
For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits or for any further questions about your application, call the Florida Call Center Main Line at 1 (850) 300-4323 or 1 (866) 762-2237. Phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET.
You can also visit or call a local Department of Children and Families office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
Last Updated: February 2, 2024