Florida has received federal approval and is preparing to implement a Disaster Food Stamp Program in the 15 counties most severely impacted by Hurricanes Charley and Frances.

This Disaster Food Stamp Program is one of many efforts by state officials to help restore and rebuild normalcy to those affected by the storms.

The program will begin on Thursday 16 September 2004 in Hardee and DeSoto Counties, which were among the hardest hit by Hurricane Charley. Applications will be accepted for a five-day period that will end on Tuesday September 21.

By starting with these two counties, officials can provide relief to those most-affected and also improve the program's processes before operations begin in larger counties.

Following operations in Hardee/DeSoto, the program will be offered on a staggered schedule in Polk, Highlands, Charlotte, Lee, and Osceola counties. That process is scheduled to begin during the week of September 20.

Brevard, Citrus, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Orange, and St. Lucie counties, the program will begin on a staggered schedule as soon as the sites are identified and ready to conduct business. That process will begin during the week of September 28.

Individuals and families who resided in the following counties on August 13, 2004: Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Lee, Orange, Osceola, and Polk; or who resided in the following counties on September 3, 2004: Brevard, Citrus, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie may apply.

To qualify, applicants must have experienced damage to their home or self-employment property or must have had a loss of income as a result of the storm. Applicants must also be income eligible as defined by having net income less than the Emergency Disaster Food Stamp Program limit.

Benefits are based on family size. One person is eligible for $141 in relief. A family of four is eligible for $471 in benefits.

Persons who currently receive benefits in the regular Food Stamp Program are not eligible for these Disaster Food Stamp benefits.

To date, DCF officials, working in partnership with USDA, have initiated mass replacement of August food stamps benefits to residents of 15 counties affected by Hurricane Charley and September benefits to 21 counties affected by Hurricane Frances.

The Disaster Food Stamps Program will be available in Osceola County beginning September 21 - 25, 2004 operating from 8am until 5pm at the Exhibition Hall in Osceola Heritage Park. The physical address is 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee, Florida, 34744. In Brevard County the program will be available from September 28 through October 2, 2004, 8am through 5pm. The program will be operating out of three campus sites within Brevard Community College. Those sites include; Titusville Campus, 1311 North US 1, Titusville, Florida 32796 - Cocoa Campus, 1519 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, Florida, 32922, and the Melbourne Campus, 3865 North Wickham Road, Melbourne, Florida, 32935.

In Orange County the program will be hosted at the Orange County Convention Center, North Concourse, Hall B, September 28 through October 2, 2004 from 8am through 5pm. The North Concourse is located off of Universal Blvd. in the North/South Building. An additional site will be has been arranged at the Hurston Building, South Tower, located on the corner of Hughey and Robinson Street. The physical address is 400 W. Robinson Street, Orlando, FL 32801.

For information regarding The Disaster Food Stamps Program within Brevard, Osceola, and Orange Counties, please contact 1-800-882-8699, for site locations, dates and times of operation, as well as criteria and eligibility information. This toll free number is available in English, Spanish, and Creole. Additional information will be available by dialing 211 in Orange County.

Below are guidelines of criteria.

Applicants must bring photo identification and proof of residency. Proof of residency may be established through billing statements, lease agreements, etc. Eligibility for the program will be determined considering the following criteria:

Residency
» Applicants were residents in Orange and Osceola Counties on August 13, 2004 or Brevard County on September 3, 2004
» Or were residents away from Orange, Osceola and Brevard Counties on the above dates, but were within the State of Florida.

AND

Applicants experienced at least one of the following adverse effects:
» Damage to or destruction to the home or self-employed business.
» Accumulated hurricane related expenses not expected to be reimbursed. (e.g. home or business repairs, temporary shelter expenses, evacuation expenses, home/business protection, disaster-related personal injury including funeral expenses).
» Loss of or inaccessible income, including reduction or termination of income, or delay in receipt of income. Inaccessible liquid resources (e.g. the bank closed due to the disaster).

AND

Income
» Applicants must not exceed income restrictions.
» Income will be examined on a net and monthly basis.
» The maximum income restrictions begin for a household of one. A household of one cannot exceed more than $1,261 net income per month.
» A household of two cannot exceed $1,522.
» The maximum monthly income increases with household size