For Immediate Release November 1, 2005
Contact: DCF Press Office Zoraya Suarez 850-448-4855
DCF to Initiate "Food for Florida" Disaster
Food Stamp Program in 12 Counties
-- These counties to also receive supplements
in November benefits for current recipients --
TALLAHASSEE – The Department of Children & Families,
in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will
implement the “Food for Florida” Disaster Food Stamp (DFS) program
in Indian River, Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Martin, Glades, Hendry,
Lee, Collier, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties
to assist victims of Hurricane Wilma. (See dates and locations
beginning on page 3.)
“We are working around the clock to provide relief to those
affected by Wilma’s damage,” said DCF Secretary Lucy D. Hadi.
“We will continue to stand side-by-side with those who need
us as they get back on their feet."
To qualify for the “Food for Florida” benefits program, applicants
must have lived in one of the twelve counties listed above on
October 24, 2005, and not be receiving food stamps through the
regular program. Additionally, eligible individuals and families
must have suffered a disaster related loss, such as damage to
their homes or self-employment property, loss of food, reduction
of income or have incurred other disaster related expenses.
Applicants must also be financially eligible.
Combined income and assets can not exceed program limits.
Only income and expenses from October 22 to November 21 are
counted. The limit for one person is $1,332 and the limit for
a four person family is $2,147. (See attached criteria for more
details).
Benefits are based on family size. One person is eligible
for $152 in Disaster Food Stamp benefits. A family of four is
eligible for $506.
Eligible individuals and families will be mailed Electronic
Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to use at authorized U.S.D.A. food
retailers. “Food for Florida” benefits are good for 90 days
from the date of issuance and must be used during that time.
In addition to the “Food for Florida” program, DCF automatically
replaced 50 percent of the October benefits for regular food
stamp recipients in the hurricane impacted areas. Eligible households
in these counties will also receive extra benefits (a supplement)
in November to bring their amount to the maximum for their household
size. Regular food stamp recipients and those eligible for the
“Food for Florida” Program may use their benefits to purchase
hot prepared foods through November 30. This rule change will
help those who lost their homes and cooking equipment and/or
electrical power as a result of the hurricane.
More information on the “Food for Florida” Disaster Food
Stamp program is available by calling 1-866-762-2237 or by logging
onto http://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/
Tip Sheet for Applying for Disaster Food Stamp Benefits
“Food for Florida” Site Locations and Hours
of Operation
Sites for residents of Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties
will open beginning Friday, November 4 through Tuesday, November
8, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:
- Super Walmart Super Center, 9885 Collier Blvd., Naples
- Clewiston Civic Center, 2000 Seventh Street, Clewiston
- Gulf Coast Center, 5820 Buckingham Road, Ft. Myers
- Indian River County Fairground, 7955 58th Avenue, Vero
Beach
Friday, November 4, Saturday, November 5, Sunday, November
6 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Parking Lot on the Corner of
First Street and Main Street, Immokolee
Sites will be open for residents of Indian River, Okeechobee,
St. Lucie, and Martin counties, Thursday, November 3 through
Monday, November 7 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at:
- Indian River County Fairgrounds, 7955 58th Ave, Vero
Beach
- Okeechobee County Agriculture-Civic Center, 4200 E.
Hwy 70, Okeechobee
- St. Lucie County Fairgrounds, 15601 W. Midway Road,
Ft. Pierce
- Martin County Fairgrounds, 2616 SE Dixie Highway, Stuart
An alternate location in Martin County will also be open
on Saturday, November 5 and Sunday, November 6 from 8 a.m. to
6 p.m. at:
- Indiantown One Stop Center, 16491 SW Farm Road, Indiantown
Sites will be open in Monroe County:
Thursday, November 3 and Friday, November 4 from 8 a.m. to
6 p.m. and Saturday, November 5 from 8 a.m. to noon at:
- GATO Historic Building Parking Lot and Lobby, 1100 Simonton
Street, Key West
Mobile units will be open as follows beginning Saturday,
November 5 and ending Monday, November 7:
Saturday, November 5, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.:
- Mobile Unit- Big Coppitt Fire Station on US 1 (MM11)
Sunday, November 6, from 8 a.m. to noon:
- Mobile Unit – Sugarloaf Fire Station on US 1 (MM17)
Sunday, November 6, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.:
- Mobile Unit- Big Pine Key, Big Pine United Methodist
Church parking lot, 280 Key Deer Blvd.
- Monday, November 7:
- Mobile Unit- Marathon Kmart Plaza on US 1 (MM45)
from 8 a.m. to noon
- Mobile Unit – Grassy Key JoJo’s Restaurant Parking
Lot (MM59.7) from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Miami - Dade:
- Community of Landmark, 20000 NW 47th Ave, Opa Locka
- Tamiami Park, 11201 SW 24th St, Miami
- Coconut Grove Convention Center, 2700 S Bayshore Dr,
Coconut Grove
- Phicol Williams Community Recreation Center, 951 SW
4th St., Homestead – (Note: This site will operate from
November 9 – 12. It will not be open on Tuesday due to the
election.)
- Further locations to be confirmed.
Broward:
- Faith Center Church, 5555 NW 95th Ave., Sunrise
- Hollywood Millennium Mall, 5800 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
- Further locations to be confirmed.
Palm Beach:
- Dimick Building, District HQ, 111 S. Sapodilla Ave,
West Palm Beach
- Lake Ida Park, 2929 Lake Ida Road, Delray Beach
- Glades Pioneer Park, 866 SR 715, Belle Glade
- John Prince Park, 2520 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth
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