SNAP Benefits/Assistance Programs

SNAP Benefits

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has posted an explanation of these benefits and who is eligible here: U.S. Department of Agriculture Clarifies Where Eligible Students Should Apply for Expanded SNAP Benefits

FAQ

Am I eligible?

Visit the DCF Access page to find out if you are eligible. The USDA notice outlining requirements can be found here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/students 

Verifying Residency

To verify residency, a student will be required to provide documentation. The following documents are examples of what could be used to verify residency:

  • In-state license
  • Utility bill
  • Rental agreement
  • Letter from housing services at the institution of higher education
  • Letter from a resident assistant (RA) in a dormitory
  • Letter from a landlord of a rental property

How many people use SNAP in the United States?
As of January 2016, 45.4 million persons were participating in SNAP.

What is the average SNAP benefit?
In 2017, the average SNAP client received a monthly benefit of $126.

What percent of the people who are eligible participate in SNAP?
Eighty-three percent of individuals who qualified for SNAP benefits received them in fiscal year 2015.

Where can SNAP benefits be used?
SNAP benefits are acceptable forms of payment at any SNAP retailer. SNAP retailers can apply for certification online through the USDA. All SNAP retailers must meet basic “stocking requirements”: the retailer must sell at least seven varieties of food in each of four basic categories (meat, poultry, or fish; bread or cereal; vegetables or fruits; and dairy products) on a continuous basis, and must offer perishable food items in at least three of those four categories.

SNAP is accepted at Florida State University Tallahassee's campus at the POD Market in the Honors, Scholars, and Fellows house(HSF).

What can SNAP benefits buy?
SNAP benefits can be used to purchase all food products, not including: beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco; any nonfood items; vitamins and medicines; foods that will be eaten in the store; or hot foods.

What questions are on the food stamps application?
When you apply for food stamps, you must provide extensive personal information about you and your household. Expect to answer questions relating to your financial circumstances, and your citizenship.

Apply for SNAP

To apply for SNAP, you will need to fill out the online application at: https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/

Energy/Utility Assistance

Any students that are Florida residents and qualify for SNAP, SSI, or TANF automatically qualify for utility bill assistance as well, even if they are over the maximum allowed income in those tables.

LiHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) provides assistance with heating and cooling costs.  More information about this program can be found at the following websites:

Household Broadband Assistance

What is the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program?
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that provides a temporary discount on monthly broadband bills for qualifying low-income households. If your household is eligible, you can receive:

  • Up to a $50/month discount on your broadband service and associated equipment rentals
  • Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
  • A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)

Do I Qualify? - EBBP (getemergencybroadband.org)