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DCF announces first disaster SNAP program after Ian, here’s how to register

By Brittany Caldwell, WFTV.com

Increase of benefits FILE PHOTO: SNAP benefits increased on Oct. 1. (hapabapa/Getty Images)

By Brittany Caldwell, WFTV.com

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida’s application for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has been approved, the Department of Children and Families announced Saturday.

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This program will provide food assistance for individuals and families who have been impacted by Hurricane Ian and who don’t receive benefits from the regular SNAP program.

Read: SNAP benefits have risen; find out how much monthly payments are now

D-SNAP will be launched in a series of phases starting Monday, Oct. 10. Pre-registration is required.

The first phase will be a phone option.

Who is eligible?

  • Applicants must not be receiving regular SNAP benefits.
  • Those who were living or working in a disaster-declared county at the time of the hurricane
  • Suffered a disaster-related loss such as damage to homes, loss of food, reduction or loss in income or other disaster-related expenses
  • Meet financial eligibility requirements

Read: FEMA approves $150 million in disaster relief for Florida households, here’s how to apply

Things to know about the application process:

  • Phone times are based on the first letter of the applicant’s last name.
  • Residents who can’t pre-register online can visit in-person locations when they are open.
  • You can call the D-SNAP Call Center at 850-663-1919, open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

Read: How can Central Florida residents apply for FEMA’s Transitional Shelter Assistance?

What are the different phases?

PHASE ONE: Schedule by County

  • Online pre-registration will be open for Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, Sarasota and Polk counties from Monday, Oct. 10 at 12:01 a.m. through Sunday, Oct. 16 at 11:59 p.m.
  • Applicants in the Phase One Schedule must call the D-SNAP Call Center at 850-663-1919 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
  • Last name begins with A-F: Call on Thursday, Oct. 13
  • Last name begins with G-N: Call on Friday, Oct. 14
  • Last name begins with O-Z: Call on Saturday, Oct. 15
  • Any last name: Call on Sunday, Oct. 16

PHASE TWO: Schedule by County

  • Counties: Flagler, Highlands, Manatee, Orange, Pinellas and St. Johns
  • Pre-Registration Dates: Monday, Oct. 17 - Sunday, Oct. 23
  • Telephone Dates: Thursday, Oct. 20 - Sunday, Oct. 23

PHASE THREE: Schedule by County

  • Counties: Hillsborough, Lake, Osceola, Putnam, Seminole, and Volusia
  • Pre-Registration Dates: Monday, Oct. 24 - Sunday, Oct. 30
  • Telephone Dates: Thursday, Oct. 27 - Sunday, Oct. 30

Click here to learn more and click here for pre-registration.

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