To apply for benefits contact this office during office hours as posted. Florida ESS Office of Economic Self-Sufficiency (ACCESS)
Florida Community Partner Storefront Office for the Florida Department of Children and Families.
This community partner agency help sthe Department of Children and Families provide access to public assistance services.

Programs Provided at this office

Food Assistance - SNAP Food Stamps
Helps individuals and families purchase nutritional foods needed to maintain and promote good health.
Temporary Cash Assistance - TANF
The program provides financial assistance to pregnant women in their third trimester and families with dependent children to assist in the payment of rent, utilities and other household expenses.

Medicaid Program
The program provides medical assistance to individuals and families to cover or assist in the cost of services that are medically necessary.


Applying for Assistance

You may apply for assistance at this office.
You may also apply online at www.myflorida.com/accessflorida
You may also download an application on this web page:
https://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/access/assistance-application-information.shtml

Clients can apply online for free by using the Office of Economic Self Sufficiency Self Service Portal or by visiting a DCF Community Partner.

After completing the application, either in office or online, it can take up to 30 days to process your application. Then, we will need to interview you.

Food Assistance or Cash Assistance:
If you are eligible for the first time, and your case is approved, you will be mailed an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card with a brochure that tells you how to use your card.
If you received benefits in the past 24 months and still have an EBT card, you can use that card if your case number is the same and the card is not expired (see Good Thru date on the card).
If you no longer have your EBT card or your card has expired, please contact EBT customer service at 1-888-356-3281 for a replacement.
If you are reapplying and it has been more than 24 months since you received food or cash assistance, a new EBT card will automatically be mailed to you.

Eligbility For SNAP
Your household must meet certain requirements to be eligible for SNAP and receive benefits. If your State agency determines that you are eligible to receive SNAP benefits, you will receive benefits back to the date you submitted your application. Visit the Pre screening tool to see if you qualify: https://www.snap-step1.usda.gov/fns/

What Happens After You Apply
In most cases it takes 30 day to processs your application. But.. during the 30 days you must complete an eligibility interview and give proof (verification) of the information you provided. The interview is typically completed over the telephone or in-person. If you are found eligible, you will receive benefits based on the date you submitted your application.

How Long Can I Receive SNAP For?
If you are found eligible, you will receive a notice that tells you how long you will receive SNAP benefits for; this is called your certification period. Before your certification period ends, you will receive another notice that says you must recertify to continue receiving benefits. Your local SNAP office will provide you with information about how to recertify.

SNAP Work Requirements
People must meet work requirements to be eligible for SNAP. These work requirements include:
Registering for work;
Not voluntarily quitting a job or reducing hours;
Taking a job if offered; and
Participating in employment and training programs, if assigned by the State.

Failure to comply with these requirements can result in disqualification from the Program.

In addition, able bodied adults without dependents are required to work or participate in a work program for at least 20 hours per week in order to receive SNAP benefits for more than 3 months in a 36-month period.

Some special groups may not be subject to these requirements including:
Children;
Seniors;
Pregnant women; and
People who are exempt for physical or mental health reasons.

Services

Food Stamps, Social Services, Human Services, Public Assistance

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