Title: “Urgent Assistance for Hurricane Idalia Victims in Florida: SNAP Benefits and Child Nutrition Programs Information”
Hurricane Idalia Update: September 03, 2023
Child Nutrition Programs: Help for Families Affected by Hurricane Idalia
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On September 3, 2023, USDA approved Florida’s request to issue replacement benefits to SNAP recipients in 14 counties impacted by Hurricane Idalia starting August 29.
This covers power outages and flooding losses. The waiver applies to the following 14 counties: Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Pasco, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla.
On September 2, 2023, USDA waived restrictions on purchasing hot foods with SNAP benefits in 23 Florida counties affected by Hurricane Idalia through October 1, 2023. This waiver took 1-2 days to implement in retailers.
The waivers aim to support access to food needs among Florida SNAP recipients dealing with the impacts of the hurricane.
Replacement benefits help replace food lost due to power outages and flooding.
The “hot foods” waiver allows recipients to purchase prepared meals during the recovery period.
On August 30, 2023, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) received approval from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for a special waiver.
This waiver provides crucial support for institutions and organizations involved in the Florida Child Care Food Program (CCFP) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) impacted by Hurricane Idalia. What does this mean for you?
- Meals in Flexible Settings: Institutions can serve meals in non-congregate settings.
- Time Adjustments: Meal service times can be adjusted to better suit your needs.
- Parent and Guardian Pick-Up: Parents and guardians can pick up meals for children.
- Meal Pattern and Educational Requirements: These may be waived for the at-risk component.
- Payment Flexibility: Organizations now have more flexibility in making payments to facilities and day care homes.
- Monitoring Visits: The requirement for meal service observation during monitoring visits can be waived.
This waiver is valid until September 30, 2023.
THESE FLORIDA IDALIA EMERGENCY SNAP ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ARE CURRENTLY PENDING APPROVAL
| Waiver Type | Flexibility Requested | Approval/Denial Date | Expiration Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal Pattern Requirements | Flexibility in meeting dietary specifications and providing meal components | Pending | |
| Congregate (Group) Meal Requirements | Meals provided as grab ‘n go | Pending | |
| 60-Day Claiming Deadlines for June 2023 | Extension of claiming deadlines for June 2023 claims by 30 calendar days | Pending | |
| Monitoring Requirements for Sponsoring Organizations | Various options for sponsoring organizations to waive certain requirements related to visits and reviews for the next 60 days | Pending | |
| Program Payment Procedures | Waiving the requirement to distribute reimbursement within 5 days of receipt of the monthly reimbursement | Pending |
Additionally, on August 29, 2023, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) received approval for waivers related to child nutrition programs.
This includes the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), Seamless Summer Option (SSO), National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and School Breakfast Program (SBP). These waivers allow:
- Non-Congregate Meals: Meals can be served in non-congregate settings.
- Parent Pick-Up: Parents can pick up meals.
- Time Adjustments: Meal service times can be adjusted.
- Offer Versus Serve: NSLP and SBP are not required to use offer versus serve.
These waivers are in effect until September 30, 2023.
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Assistance for SNAP Households in 49 Florida Counties
If you are part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and reside in any of the following counties: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard,Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Desoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, or Wakulla, you are eligible for early issuance of September 2023 SNAP benefits.
What This Means for You:
- Early Issuance: You will receive your September 2023 SNAP benefits between September 1, 2023, and September 14, 2023, helping you prepare for the storm before it arrives or immediately after it makes landfall.
FLORIDA SNAP BENEFITS ARE REGULARLY SCHEDULED ON THESE DATES:
Benefits are made available from the 1st to the 28th of every month, based on the 9th and 8th digits of the Florida case number (READ BACKWARDS), dropping the 10th digit.
Florida SNAP Benefits Availability
| Case Number | Benefits Available |
|---|---|
| 00-03 | Benefits available on the 1st |
| 04-06 | Benefits available on the 2nd |
| 07-10 | Benefits available on the 3rd |
| 11-13 | Benefits available on the 4th |
| 14-17 | Benefits available on the 5th |
| 18-20 | Benefits available on the 6th |
| 21-24 | Benefits available on the 7th |
| 25-27 | Benefits available on the 8th |
| 28-31 | Benefits available on the 9th |
| 32-34 | Benefits available on the 10th |
| 35-38 | Benefits available on the 11th |
| 39-41 | Benefits available on the 12th |
| 42-45 | Benefits available on the 13th |
| 46-48 | Benefits available on the 14th |
| 49-53 | Benefits available on the 15th |
| 54-57 | Benefits available on the 16th |
| 58-60 | Benefits available on the 17th |
| 61-64 | Benefits available on the 18th |
| 65-67 | Benefits available on the 19th |
| 68-71 | Benefits available on the 20th |
| 72-74 | Benefits available on the 21st |
| 75-78 | Benefits available on the 22nd |
| 79-81 | Benefits available on the 23rd |
| 82-85 | Benefits available on the 24th |
| 86-88 | Benefits available on the 25th |
| 89-92 | Benefits available on the 26th |
| 93-95 | Benefits available on the 27th |
| 96-99 | Benefits available on the 28th |
| 00-33 | Cash and SUNCAP benefits available on the 1st |
| 34-66 | Cash and SUNCAP benefits available on the 2nd |
| 67-99 | Cash and SUNCAP benefits available on the 3rd |
These are challenging times for Floridians. If you’re affected by Hurricane Idalia in Florida and need assistance with SNAP benefits or child nutrition programs, this information is crucial.
Stay safe, and take advantage of these resources to help you and your family during this difficult period.
DISASTER SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM D-SNAP IN FLORIDA
The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) provides quick, short-term food assistance to families affected by disasters.
Eligible households receive one month of benefits equal to their usual SNAP benefits. These benefits are delivered through an EBT card for food purchases.
D-SNAP uses a simplified application process, delivering assistance within 72 hours, easing the burden on post-disaster State agencies.
Families who don’t typically qualify for SNAP may be eligible due to disaster-related expenses like income loss, property damage, relocation costs, or food loss due to power outages.
APPLY FOR D-SNAP IN FLORIDA
During D-SNAP operations, existing SNAP clients with disaster losses below their usual benefits can request a supplement to reach the maximum for their household size, ensuring fairness between D-SNAP and regular SNAP households.
FNS approves D-SNAP under the Stafford Act following a Presidential disaster declaration for Individual Assistance by FEMA.
DISASTER SNAP INCOME ELIGIBILITY
State agencies request FNS approval for D-SNAP, which operates for a limited period, usually around 7 days, during which the State accepts D-SNAP applications.
Cash and Food Help in Florida for Hurricane Idalia
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