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.

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What Are Food Stamps?

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.

What Can Food Stamps Buy?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase approved food items. These include:

  • Fruits and vegetables;
  • Meat, poultry, and fish;
  • Dairy products;
  • Breads and cereals;
  • Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and
  • Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat.

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.

How Much Assistance Does SNAP Provide?

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 NumberFederal 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.

Requirements to Qualify for SNAP in Florida

To qualify for SNAP in Florida, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must be a United States citizen or legal resident
  • You must be a resident of Florida
  • You must have a household income and resources that do not exceed the limits set by Florida and the federal government
  • You must work or participate in an employment training program, if applicable

Learn more about Florida’s income limits and other eligibility criteria here.

Steps to Apply for SNAP in Florida

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:

  1. Review the application requirements.

Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.

  1. Gather the documentation and information you will need for the application.

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.

  1. Choose how you are going to apply, whether online, in person, by mail or by fax.

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.

How to Check Your Application Status

Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:

  • If you applied online, you can check your application status using Florida's ACCESS portal here.
  • If you applied in person, contact the Florida Department of Children and Families office location where you applied. Find contact information here.
  • If you applied by mail, you can call 1 (850) 300-4323 or 1 (866) 762-2237 to check the status of your application.
  • If you applied by fax, contact the Florida Department of Children and Families office location where you applied. Find contact information here.

What Happens After You Apply for SNAP?

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:

  • Your household has less than $150 in monthly income and $100 or less in cash.
  • Your rent/mortgage and utilities are more than your household’s combined monthly income.
  • A member of your house is a migrant or seasonal farmworker.

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.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits or a Low Benefit Amount

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:

  • Your name
  • Your address
  • Your phone number
  • The reason for your appeal, whether you were denied benefits or you received a lower benefit amount than you believe you should have
  • Your desired solution for how the Department of Children and Families should remedy the situation

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.

How to Check the Balance on Your EBT Card

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.

How to Replace a Lost EBT Card or Benefits

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.

Need More Help?

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.

View or Download Our Free Guide

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

Table of Contents

Steps to Apply for SNAP in Florida

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:

  1. Review the application requirements.

Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.

  1. Gather the documentation and information you will need for the application.

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.

  1. Choose how you are going to apply, whether online, in person, by mail or by fax.

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.

How to Check Your Application Status

Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:

  • If you applied online, you can check your application status using Florida's ACCESS portal here.
  • If you applied in person, contact the Florida Department of Children and Families office location where you applied. Find contact information here.
  • If you applied by mail, you can call 1 (850) 300-4323 or 1 (866) 762-2237 to check the status of your application.
  • If you applied by fax, contact the Florida Department of Children and Families office location where you applied. Find contact information here.

What Happens After You Apply for SNAP?

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:

  • Your household has less than $150 in monthly income and $100 or less in cash.
  • Your rent/mortgage and utilities are more than your household’s combined monthly income.
  • A member of your house is a migrant or seasonal farmworker.

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.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits or a Low Benefit Amount

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:

  • Your name
  • Your address
  • Your phone number
  • The reason for your appeal, whether you were denied benefits or you received a lower benefit amount than you believe you should have
  • Your desired solution for how the Department of Children and Families should remedy the situation

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.

How to Check the Balance on Your EBT Card

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.

How to Replace a Lost EBT Card or Benefits

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.

Need More Help?

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.

View or Download Our Free Guide

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