FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 19, 2005
Media Inquiries: DCF Press Office (850) 488-4855
Recipient Inquiries: 1-866-762-2237
Food Stamps Can Now Buy Hot Meals
--Rule change for Dennis
applies to Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa counties--
TALLAHASSEE – The Department of Children and Families, in
partnership
with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, today announced
that Food Stamp
recipients in Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties
impacted by
Hurricane Dennis may use their benefits to purchase hot
prepared foods
through August 31. This temporary change in the Food
Stamp program rules
for the residents of the three counties will assist
people who lost their
homes and cooking supplies as a result of the hurricane.
The rule change applies to participants of both the
regular Food Stamp
and Disaster Food Stamp programs in the three counties.
The food must be purchased from authorized USDA Food and
Nutrition
Service retailers. Retailers in the affected counties
have been notified
of the exception to program rules.
DCF requested and received a waiver of federal
regulations from the
U.S. Department of Agriculture to allow these purchases.
Recipients with questions may call 1-866-762-2237.
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