MIAMI.- Recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have been receiving their paychecks since June 1 in Florida and other states across the country to ensure their food security amid the constant increase in the cost of living.
Formerly known as food stamps, the SNAP Food Stamp Program represents a major relief for millions of American individuals and families who do not have enough resources to cover their household expenses.
In Florida, SNAP administration is overseen by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), which processes applications, determines eligibility, and provides ongoing support and resources to program participants including older adults and people with disabilities.
What amount will beneficiaries receive in Florida?
The amount of benefit SNAP participants receive is determined primarily by the number of people in the household and their income relative to federal poverty guidelines.
With the 3% increase in the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), the amounts received by the approximately 3.2 million Floridians who benefit from nutrition assistance each month range from $1,751 dollars if they are part for a family of eight or $291 dollars if they are individual beneficiaries.
For their part, families made up of two or three members can receive a monthly benefit of between 535 and 766 dollars, households of four and five people obtain 976 and 1,155 dollars, while families of six and seven members receive a benefit of 1,386 and 1,532 dollars.
To qualify for SNAP benefits in Florida, individuals and families must meet certain income and resource requirements established by the state. Primarily, you must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualified alien currently living in the state.
There are also income limits based on family size, with a maximum monthly income set at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. For example, a family of two cannot earn more than $3,052 per month.
When are Florida Snap Coupons delivered this week?
Although it is a federal program, it is the responsibility of each state to establish the way in which it administers and distributes the funds. Therefore, the dates on which SNAP benefits are deposited vary from one location to another.
There are some who deposit the benefits on a single day and others who distribute it on different dates during the month. In Florida, benefits are sent to 3.2 million enrollees between the 1st and 28th of each month based on the last digits of the case number.
To determine the payment date, DCF uses the eighth and ninth digits of the case number, excluding the tenth digit.
According to the schedule, for the sixth payment of the year, in the Sunshine State the SNAP benefits corresponding to cases from 07 to 31 will be deposited this week from June 3 to 9 on the following dates:
- Digits 7-10: Monday, June 3
- Digits 11-13: Tuesday, June 4
- Digits 14-17: Wednesday, June 5
- Digits 18-20: Thursday, June 6
- Digits 21-24: Friday, June 7
- Digits 25-27: Saturday June 8
- Digits 28-31: Sunday, June 9
In the case of Florida, resources are deposited monthly on the Access Florida card, a state version of what is known in other locations as the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which works as a debit card and can be used to purchase eligible food items at authorized establishments.
With the EBT card, beneficiaries can purchase their basic food needs including fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products, bread and cereals, among others. However, they do not allow the purchase of non-food items, such as pet food, household items, or alcoholic beverages.
@Lydr05
Source: With information from Management, Commerce and Opinion
