The Guide to EBT & SNAP in Florida

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The Access Florida Card is Florida’s EBT card.

EBT = electronic benefits transfer.

EBT card = a card that looks and works like a debit or credit card but is loaded with food stamps (also known as SNAP benefits) and/or cash benefits. You can use it at stores that accept EBT.

You’ll get the Access Florida Card once you’re approved for benefits.

Florida’s EBT customer service number is 1-888-356-3281.

The fastest way to apply for food stamps is online at MyAccess Florida.

If you’d rather apply in person, call your local office or the Florida SNAP hotline (1-866-762-2237) to find out how. You can also complete this paper application.

Florida offers a step-by-step guide on the process of applying for SNAP.

Learn if you’re eligible for food stamps.

Your state agency has 30 calendar days to process food stamp applications from the day it was submitted. After 30 days, you will get a letter stating if your application was approved or denied. Make sure to complete your phone interview and send in any documents your caseworker asked for before the 30th day.

Some people with no income or resources can get food stamps much faster - usually within 7 calendar days. This is called “expedited” food stamps. You still need to send documents to your caseworker by the 30th day after you apply to keep your food stamps after the first month.

If you have gotten food stamps in Florida in the past 25 months and you already have an EBT card, new benefits will be added to your existing card. If you are reapplying and you need a replacement EBT card, call the EBT customer service line at 1-888-356-3281.

If this is your first time getting food stamps in Florida, a new card will be mailed to you within 5-7 business days with instructions on how to use it. The card may arrive in a plain white envelope, so check your mail carefully.

The state is supposed to get approved benefits on your EBT card by the 30th day after your application (or 7th day, if you get expedited), but this doesn’t always happen. If you are still waiting for your EBT card, call your state office.

You’ll have to renew your food stamps before your certification period (the amount of time you’ll get food stamps) ends. For most Florida households, that period is 6 months.

- Most Florida households: 6 months

- Households approved for expedited processing: 1-2 months

- Households with unemployed adults and no dependents: 4 months

- Households with elderly and/or disabled individuals: 24 months, with an interim report due at 12 month

Certifications vary by household, so you should confirm the length of your certification period with your caseworker or by looking at your approval letter.

You can renew your benefits online with a MyACCESS account.

If you’d rather renew in person, call your caseworker, local office, or the Florida SNAP hotline (1-866-762-2237) to find out how.

If you sign up for email notifications in your MyACCESS Account, you’ll get an email when it’s time to renew. If you don’t, you’ll get a letter in the mail. To be safe, you could also put a note in your calendar or wherever you keep important reminders.

You must complete the renewal form AND complete a phone interview for your SNAP benefits to continue.

Florida sends out benefits from the 1st to the 28th of every month, based on the 9th and 8th digits of your case number, dropping the 10th digit. Check the full schedule to find out which day you’ll get your food stamps.

Most households only have to report the following two changes twice a year (at the halfway point and when you recertify):

• When someone moves in or out of your household
• Financial changes like income, rent, savings, or child support

Most households need to report the following three changes no more than 10 days after they happen:

• When your household income goes over the monthly income limit. This could be because someone starts making more money or someone with income moves in.
• When an adult without a disability who does not live with children under 18 (what the government calls an ABAWD) who was working, training, or volunteering 20 hours/week begins working, training or volunteering less than 20 hours/week
• The receipt of substantial lottery or gambling winnings

If you are moving, you should report your new address right away to make sure you don't miss any important letters.

You can report changes online with your MyACCESS account, in person, or over the phone.

If you can’t find your EBT card, call the Florida EBT hotline as soon as you can: 1-888-356-3281.

Call the Florida EBT hotline number at 1-888-356-3281 right away and report your EBT card as lost or stolen.

If your benefits were electronically stolen on or after October 2022 (e.g., through skimming or phishing), you may be eligible to get reimbursed for stolen benefits. To report stolen SNAP benefits, submit this affidavit.

Learn more about Florida's process for replacing stolen SNAP benefits.

To help protect your EBT account, remember these tips:

• Change your pin often, especially before each scheduled deposit.
• Monitor your purchases and balance. The Propel App makes this easy to do, and also flags suspicious transactions for you.
• Never share your card number or PIN. When using your card, cover the keypad with your hand to stop others (including in-store cameras) from seeing your PIN.

You can use food stamps to buy groceries, snacks, and seeds or plants that will produce food.

You can’t use food stamps to buy alcohol, tobacco products, vitamins, live animals, prepared foods, or any non-food household items.

WIC food packages typically include cereal, juice, eggs, milk, peanut butter, dried and canned beans, tofu, fruits and vegetables, and whole-wheat bread. WIC packages also include canned fish and cheese for breastfeeding moms, and baby food for babies.

Yes! Your EBT card can get you and your family discounted or free admission to museums, theme parks, zoos, aquariums, and more.

Once your child is born, your household size will increase. More household members = more benefits.

While you are pregnant, you can’t get more food stamps, but you can apply for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits.

WIC provides food and resources for pregnant women, new parents, and children up to 5 years old.

If you have a child who’s 18 or younger, you may qualify for cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

TANF provides monthly cash assistance to help families with children get by during tough times.

Check out this benefit finder tool and find out.