(Current as of January 18, 2019)

Check this page regularly for updates on that state of public benefits during the partial government shutdown.

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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for the Partial US Government Shutdown:

When will I get my January benefits? Your January benefits will be available on your regularly scheduled monthly date. These benefits have not changed due to the government shutdown and will be received on your normal day.

When will I get my February benefits? February benefits for most people will be available on January 20th. These benefits are your February allotment and you will need to adjust accordingly due to the early release of the benefits.

What happens if my application or eligibility review is approved on or after January 16th? Your application will be processed, and January benefits will be available the following day. February benefits will be available on your regularly scheduled monthly date.

When will I get my March benefits? In the event March food assistance (SNAP) benefits are affected by the partial US government shutdown, DCF will immediately notify customers through social media, posters, websites, and other communication outlets.

Will the current benefits on my EBT card still be available after January 31st? Yes, benefits already deposited on your EBT card will be available. Customers should budget the early release of February benefits accordingly throughout the month.

What retailers will be available to accept my EBT card? Authorized EBT retailers are available to accept EBT benefits for food. There is a list of current EBT retailers in the state of Florida located here.

Will Temporary Cash Assistance and Medicaid customers be affected? The Medicaid Program is funded through 2019 so the shutdown does not impact Medicaid customers. Temporary Cash Assistance benefits are available at least through the month of February.

Where can I go if I need food right away? If you are having difficulty meeting the food needs for your household, please reach out to community partners and food banks in your area to find out how you can receive assistance. For more information about the location of your regional food banks, visit this link.

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Impact of the Federal Government Shutdown on Florida SNAP (also called Food Stamps):
(Current as of January 15, 2019)

What You Need to Know

Instead of getting SNAP in February, you will get it early – on or before January 20^th.

In Florida, households usually get SNAP (Food Stamps) on their EBT cards sometime during the first 28 calendar days of the month. This will change for February 2019. For February 2019, you will be getting your benefits in January instead. When this happens, you do NOT need to call the Department of Children and Families (DCF) unless you have a question or need to tell them something about your case. If you do not get SNAP on your EBT card by January 20th or you have questions for DCF, call 1-866-762-2237. There may be long wait times.

DCF will NOT be issuing SNAP again in February.

If you get SNAP on your EBT card in January for the month of February, you will not get SNAP again in February. Keep this in mind when you are making decisions about buying food. SNAP will stay on your card for one year until you decide to use it. If you need food, contact a community partner in your area for information about help.

If you want to file a SNAP application, be recertified, or need to give DCF paperwork to approve your SNAP or keep your SNAP case open, get it to DCF as quickly as possible.

Due to the shutdown and directions from the federal government, it is important that you apply, recertify, or send DCF missing paperwork as quickly as possible.

We do not know about March benefits at this time. Please look for updates.

When the shutdown ends, SNAP will go back to normal. If the shutdown continues through February, we do not yet know what will happen to SNAP in March.

The shutdown does not affect Cash Assistance (TANF).

If you need free legal help with a SNAP problem, contact your local legal services program.  Find a program in your area here.