![]() ![]() Paper applications can be downloaded from the state’s website. She said studies have shown that every dollar in SNAP generates somewhere between $1.50 and $1.80 in economic activity.įloridians can apply online through the ACCESS portal, or by filling out and submitting a paper application. She said the money that recipients receive go immediately to grocery stores in local communities. Vollinger, with the Food Research and Action Center, said SNAP also helps stimulate the economy. But he said that’s a small percentage of the hunger response needed. Joel Berg, chief executive of Hunger Free America, said there have been great stories about chefs donating meals and other charities stepping in amid the coronavirus. “SNAP benefits are a known, effective and efficient way to help people with hunger.” “With people out of work and no income coming in, people need food assistance now,” said Cindy Huddleston, senior analyst and attorney with the Florida Policy Institute. SNAP provides crucial support for people who are in need, and will be critical for those suffering amid the coronavirus pandemic. It said it has not had any issues with its website crashing. The state said on April 10 that its 300 call center employees served 370,000 individuals the prior week, and that it is looking into “other technologies and solutions” to better handle the influx of callers. Yet some users continue to report long hold times to get through to a representative to help them navigate the system. The Florida Department of Children and Families said on April 10 that its average hold time is now 28 minutes. When someone did pick up the phone, O’Brien said, he heard a few seconds of muffled voices before the phone clicked off. He said he used the phone line because he kept encountering a glitch in the online application system that kept knocking him out of the application. Kyle O’Brien said he waited on hold for 2 hours and 45 minutes, trying to get help with his food stamp renewal application a few weeks ago. Beginning April 11, the state also began manning its call center from 8 a.m. The state has extended its customer call center hours an extra hour in the morning and an extra hour at night. ![]() The current waiver covers March and April, but any extra money is being received in April. For a family of four, the maximum monthly benefit is $646. Those already receiving the maximum allotment would not see an increase. How have benefits changed since the pandemic?įlorida has been granted a waiver from the federal government to allow all SNAP recipients to get the maximum allotment based on their household size. The program will initially begin at the five Tallahassee-area Walmarts, the state said on April 21, the state said online purchasing at Walmart and Amazon will be available to recipients statewide. Recipients are automatically eligible for the program. The federal government this month approved a waiver allowing Florida to launch a pilot program allowing SNAP recipients to buy groceries online with the benefits cards. In Florida, different recipients get their benefits on different days. It cannot be used for things like alcohol, cigarettes or hot foods. SNAP recipients get an electronic benefits card, similar to a debit card, that can be used to buy food grocery items. The state’s website lays out full criteria and reasons why a person may be ineligible. For a single person, that would equate to a gross income of $2,082 or less a month. Floridians making a gross income of less than or equal to 200 percent above the federal poverty line could potentially be eligible for SNAP. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |