DCF Disaster Food Stamp Update 7.22.05

To date the Department of Children and Families has preliminarily approved nearly 31,000 applications for Disaster Food Stamps.

The Department, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has launched a Disaster Food Stamp (DFS) Program in Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties to help the victims of Hurricane Dennis. The Department began accepting applications for the program on Tuesday. As of noon today DCF reports the following numbers of preliminary approvals of Disaster Food Stamp applications:

• Escambia County: 18,504
• Okaloosa County: 3,669
• Santa Rosa County: 8,784
• Total: 30,957

*All figures are cumulative since July 19

Preliminary approvals are forwarded to processing centers where the applications are more closely examined to determine whether they meet eligibility requirements for the program. These figures typically are comparable to the numbers that get final approval. Individuals determined to be eligible for the program are then mailed Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, similar to ATM cards, that can be used at USDA-approved food retailers.

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