How To Apply For Florida Food Stamps
View the information below if you are interested in applying for food stamps in Florida. It is important that you have all the documentation and information needed so the application process is not delayed. If you still have questions or issues about applying for food stamps, known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), then you can call the Florida SNAP hotline at 866-762-2237. The department that handles this program is called the Florida Department of Children and Families.
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.
Florida food stamps eligibility requirements
Individuals must pass all eligibility rules to get food assistance benefits. Some of the eligibility rules are:
Identity: Individuals must show proof they are the person they claim to be. Applicants must provide proof of their identity.
Work Rules: Healthy adults, 18 to 50 years of age, who do not have dependent children or are not pregnant, can only get food assistance benefits for 3 months in a 3 year period if they are not working or participating in a work or workfare program. Physically and mentally fit adults age 16 through 59 years old must register for work, accept offers of suitable work, and take part in an employment and training program when referred, if they do not meet an exemption.
Income and Deductions: Most households must pass a gross income limit less than or equal to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Households with a member disqualified for breaking Food Assistance Program rules, felony drug trafficking, running away from a felony warrant, or not participating in a work program must have gross income less than or equal to 130% of the FPL. Households with a disqualified member must have net income less than 100% of the FPL. Households with people who are age 60 or older, or disabled, must only meet the net monthly income limit. Some household expenses may be subtracted from the total monthly income in the food assistance budget. The budget may subtract for shelter expenses, dependent care, medical expenses, child support paid, utility deductions, and earned income deduction.
| People in Household | 200% Gross Monthly Income Limits | 130% Gross Monthly Income Limits | 100% Net Monthly Income Limits | Maximum Benefit Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,010 | $1,307 | $1,005 | $192 |
| 2 | $2,708 | $1,760 | $1,354 | $352 |
| 3 | $3,404 | $2,213 | $1,702 | $504 |
| 4 | $4,100 | $2,665 | $2,050 | $640 |
| 5 | $4,798 | $3,118 | $2,399 | $760 |
| 6 | $5,494 | $3,571 | $2,747 | $913 |
| 7 | $6,190 | $4,024 | $3,095 | $1,009 |
| 8 | $6,888 | $4,477 | $3,444 | $1,153 |
| For Each Additional Person Add | +$698 | +$453 | +$349 | +$144 |
Deductions are expenses subtracted from the household’s gross income when determining the amount of the food assistance benefits for a month. The food assistance deductions include:
- 20% deduction from earned income
- Standard deduction based on household size
- Cost of child care when needed to work, seek work or attend training for work
- Medical expenses more than $35 for elderly or disabled household members
- Court ordered child support payments paid to non-household members or
- A portion of shelter and utility costs
Residency: All individuals are required to be living in the state of Florida.
Citizenship: All individuals are required to be a citizen of the US or have a qualified noncitizen status.
Social Security Number: Individuals must show a valid SSN or proof they have applied for one.
Child Support Cooperation: Certain individuals must cooperate with the state's child support enforcement agency to prove a child's legal relationship to their parent and to get the court to order child support payments.
Assets: Most food assistance households may have assets such as vehicles, bank accounts, or property and still get help. Households with a disqualified member must meet an asset limit of $2,250 or $3,250 (if the household contains an elderly or disabled member). Some assets that do not count are:
- Home and surrounding property
- Household goods and personal effects
- One burial plot per household member
- Cash value of life insurance policies and
- Vehicles
Change Reporting: Households must report when the total monthly gross income exceeds 130% of the Federal Poverty Level for the household size and when work hours of able bodied adults fall below 20 hours per week when averaged monthly. The household must report these changes within 10 days after the end of the month of the change.
Florida food stamps for students
Most able-bodied students, ages 18 through 49 enrolled in college or other institutions of higher education at least half time, are not eligible for food assistance benefits. Students may be able to get food assistance benefits if they are:
- Physically or mentally unfit
- Receiving Temporary Cash Assistance benefits
- Participating in a state or federally financed work study program
- Enrolled in college as a result of participation in a Job Opportunities and Basic Skill program under Title IV of the Social Security Act
- Working average number of hours that total 80 hours per month
- Participating in an on-the-job training program
- Taking care of a dependent household member under the age of six
- Taking care of a dependent household member over the age of five but under 12 and do not have adequate child care to enable them to attend school and work a minimum of 20 hours, or to take part in a state or federally financed work study program or
- Single parent enrolled full time in college and taking care of a dependent household member under the age of 12
Florida food stamps ineligibility reasons
People who are convicted of drug trafficking, who are running away from a felony warrant, who break Food Assistance Program rules on purpose, who are noncitizens without a qualified status, and some students in colleges or universities are not eligible for food assistance benefits.