Friday, October 27, 2017

Disaster Food Assistance This Weekend - Long Lines Expected

LABELLE, FL. -- The Florida Department of Children and Families will be on Forrey Drive between Cowboy Way and State Road 80 at the Sports Park on the east side of the city of LaBelle on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. taking applications for two months of food assistance for disaster victims.

If you qualify, you will get an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card good for 90 days to spend at any store for food. Your benefits are loaded onto the EBT card and it works just like a debit card at most grocery stores.

General Program RequirementsYou may qualify for Food for Florida if you meet the conditions below:
You do not already get help through the regular state SNAP; current SNAP households may qualify for supplemental disaster or replacement benefits (Current SNAP household already received automatic payment for two months food on their EBT cards earlier this month).
You were living in or, in some cases, working in the declared area at the time of the disaster.
You have at least one of the disaster-related effects or expenses below:
Home or business damage or repairs.
Temporary shelter or evacuation expenses.
Home or business protection.
Personal injury, including funeral expenses.
Income loss, or delayed or no access to income.
Food loss, in some cases, with no other disaster expenses.

Eligibility is based on your “disaster gross income” (DGI). When you apply, your caseworker follows the steps below to get your DGI: Add take-home pay, unearned income (like public assistance payments), and liquid resources (like bank accounts and cash on hand). Then subtract unreimbursed disaster-related expenses.

The maximum DGI is set each year based on household size. If your DGI is less than the maximum, you may qualify for Food for Florida.

Editor's Note: While the formulas for determining eligibility are complex, they can be calculated by using either actual disaster expenses against family income, or using a "standard" expense deduction formula which includes disaster-related expenses, such as loss of income and property repairs. Here is the chart.

Florida DCF certification staff must review your case to see if you qualify. You may apply for benefits in one of two ways: Apply in person at an application site, or Pre-register online and report to a local site to show proof of identity.

Visit the Food for Florida website to apply.

Editor's Note: It is probable that there will be long lines at the site this weekend with an hour or more waiting. It is suggested to go to the online website noted above to apply before you go to the LaBelle location.

Visit the ACCESS Service Center Locations page to find a center near you where you can apply.

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