Some Central Florida families still waiting on additional food assistance during pandemic

After delays at the start of the pandemic, millions of Florida children who are eligible for free and reduced school lunch are finally receiving additional food assistance through the Federal Department of Agriculture.

However, some say they haven’t gotten the money they’re allowed through the Pandemic-EBT program. Channel 9 investigative reporter Karla Ray asked the Department of Children and Families, which is administering the program, how many families could still be waiting.

Like so many Florida families, Jennifer Perez and her kids are right on the bubble.

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“I’m not on any type of food stamps, Medicaid, any of that stuff, but we do qualify for free lunch,” Perez said.

When the state announced it was applying for funds to help families like hers through the P-EBT program, she was hopeful it would bring some relief after a strapped summer.

The first electronic benefits card came in early August.

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“I did get one card for my middle son, he was the one that was in middle school, and that was fine,” Perez explained. “But then I noticed I never got anything for my youngest child, or my oldest in high school.”

DCF says more than 2.2 million Florida children have received benefits so far, but when 9 Investigates asked if some were still waiting, and how many, a DCF spokesperson provided a hotline number to refer customers to instead of answering.

Perez said she called that hotline and got nowhere. Others have shared similar stories on DCF’s Facebook page.

“That extra money can go toward the rent, electricity, right now my kids are home from school, so it could go to the cable to make sure the internet is paid for,” Perez said. “Those are things that, instead of the money we’d normally be putting toward other items, that’s going toward food. That’s reality, it’s a big reality.”

The program is automatic, so if your child receives free or reduced-price lunch in school, you don’t need to fill out an application. You should have received those EBT cards by now. If you haven’t, call 1-888-356-3281.

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