Food stamps in Florida are available through the Food Assistance Program, administered by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). Applicants for the program must apply to the DCF, who determines their eligibility. Eligibility requirements cover several areas, including the applicant's personal situation, financial status and details and employment situation.
Personal Requirements
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal noncitizen residents. Legal and actual residency in Florida is required. A legal document proving identity must be furnished. All members of the applying household must have a Social Security number or show they have applied for one. Household members, including the applicant, spouse and children under the age of 22, must apply as a group. If there are minor children and only one parent, the applicant must cooperate with the state's Child Support Enforcement office, to see if child support payments can be obtained.
Income and Assets
Total income from all members of the household applying for benefits is limited to certain maximum amounts. Specific limits are based on the number of people in the household, with the maximum allowable amount increasing with the number of people. The total gross income is limited to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and net income is limited to 100 percent of that same level. Net income is the gross less preset allowed deductions. Most households do not have an assets restriction and homes, personal belongings and vehicles are never considered.
Employment Requirements
Most recipients of benefits who are adults up to 60 years old and are physically and mentally able, are required to work or be registered with an employment service or participating in a work training program. Healthy adults aged 18 to 50, without minor children, who are not working or in training, are limited to receive benefits for only three months within a three-year period. Certain exemptions exist from these rules that apply to parents of young children and eligible students.
Other Provisions
Generally, most healthy students attending college half time or higher are not eligible because of the work requirement discussed above. However, exceptions are made if the student has young children, is actually working over 80 hours a month or is participating in a work study or job training program. Any member of the applying household who has broken food stamp rules in the past, has a felony drug conviction, is a legal fugitive or is breaking the work rules, is ineligible to receive benefits.
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