SNAP offers nutrition assistance to eligible low-income individuals and families. Assistance is provided on an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card which works much like a debit card.
To apply for SNAP benefits, you will need to gather the following pieces of personal information, and complete the SNAP application:
- Full Name, Social Security Number, and Date of Birth
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship and Identity [PASSPORT, DRIVERS LICENSE, BIRTH CERTIFICATE, ETC.]
- Monthly Income Information [FROM A JOB, SOCIAL SECURITY, AND OTHER INCOME SOURCES]
- Amount of Monthly Expenses [DEDUCTIONS INCLUDING HOUSING, UTILITES, MEDICAL EXPENSES, ETC.]
- Resource and Asset Information [CHECKING BALANCE, SAVINGS BALANCE, VALUE OF HOME(S), VALUE OF VEHICLE(S), LAND, LIFE INSURANCE, ETC.]
If you are interested in applying or re-applying to receive SNAP benefits, there are several means to do so:
APPLY ONLINE
Please visit the Florida Department of Children and Families Automated Community Connection to Economic Self Sufficiency (ACCESS) website to see if you meet the qualifications, click here, or to apply for SNAP benefits in the ACCESS online portal, click here.
APPLY BY MAIL
To re-apply for SNAP benefits by mail, fill out a paper application that can be mailed, faxed, or returned to your local ACCESS site. The paper application can be printed from here: English and Spanish or to download it from the DCF website, click here.
Completed applications can be mailed to:
ACCESS Central Mail Center, P.O. Box 1770, Ocala, FL 34478-1770
APPLY BY TELEPHONE
If you have questions about your SNAP application status, or need to make an update to your application based on changes in income or medical history, please contact the Florida Department of Children and Families Automated Community Connection to Economic Self Sufficiency (ACCESS) customer call center at: 850-300-4323 [Follow the prompts, and select the “EBT” information option.]
If you need assistance to re-apply for SNAP benefits over the telephone, you can call the Florida Department of Elder Affairs statewide, toll-free Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) to schedule an appointment with Nutrition staff.
APPLY IN PERSON
Individuals who prefer to complete the application in person may do so at a local ACCESS (Automated Community Connection to Economic Self Sufficiency) Customer Service Center. locations are listed online here. You can also find a nearby ACCESS center by calling the DCF customer call center at: 850-300-4323 or the Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) and Nutrition staff can locate the nearest location to you.
