The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Ian and who are not receiving food assistance benefits through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, D-SNAP is implemented by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).
Food Replacement
Food Replacement benefits are available to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance recipients who suffered food losses related to Hurricane Ian.
Request Food Replacement – English Request Food Replacement – Español Request Food Replacement – Kreyòl
DCF received approval to issue mass replacements of SNAP benefits for individuals who did not receive an early release of benefits (households that received benefits from 9/15/22 -9/28/2022) in the following impacted counties: Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Okeechobee, Orange, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, and Volusia. Replacement benefits were automatically loaded to EBT cards on October 3, 2022.
Households that would normally receive SNAP benefits between 10/1/2022 – 10/14/2022 received their benefits for October early on 9/27/2022 to help with storm preparation in the event families needed to evacuate or to purchase non-perishable items. The Department cannot process a mass replacement of benefits for these households, per federal guidelines. However, if replacement benefits are needed for food items that were lost during the storm for those in the impacted counties listed above, recipients can apply online. Applications for replacement benefits generally must be filed within 10 days of the disaster. DCF has received approval to extend the time to file applications until October 17th for Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Lake, Lee, Osceola, Sarasota, and St. Johns counties.
The Department received approval for SNAP benefits to be used to purchase hot meals.
Food Assistance
In response to Hurricane Ian, the Department released over $235 million in SNAP benefits to more than 773,500 households who were at risk of being impacted by Hurricane Ian – that means 1.4 million individuals received their benefits before the storm hit so they could adequately prepare their food supply.
Visit MyFLFamilies.com/Access to learn more.
Family Resource Support Center
Family Resource Support Centers are being opened across the impact area and will serve as a central location for access to community resources and support. Department staff will be on-site, including Hope Navigators, behavior health partners who specialize in disaster recovery response, and public benefit eligibility specialists to help individuals and families who need assistance due to Hurricane Ian.
Visit MyFLFamilies.com/FRSC to view location details and hours, or call 850-300-HOPE to speak to a Hope Navigator.
Family Resource Support Center Flyer
Emergency Orders
State Office Closures
The following counties have announced office closures:
- DeSoto
- Lee
