The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps low-income families purchase basic foods. In Florida, it is managed by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), which follows federal guidelines with state adaptations. Eligibility is determined by income, compliance with work requirements, and specific profiles such as older adults, disabled people, or caregivers.
Benefits are distributed using an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which functions similarly to a debit card. In 2025, a two-person household must earn ≤ 130% of the federal poverty level (FPL). In 2025, a family of four will spend about $41,795 per year. Exceptions apply to those who exceed these limits but incur significant medical expenses.
Products allowed and restricted by SNAP benefits
SNAP allows you to buy bread, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products, and crop seeds, among other things. All of this is because “food stamp” funds (as the program was previously known) are solely intended to support American families’ efforts to eat healthily.
However, it is illegal to buy alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medications, hot ready-to-eat meals, and non-food items like cleaning or personal hygiene products. These standards are intended to ensure that funds are only allocated for basic nutritional needs.
Aside from that, in Florida, adults aged 18 to 59 must meet employment standards that require up to 120 hours of work, training, or community service per month, which exceeds the federal minimum. Those who do not comply will lose their benefits after three months, with exemptions for those over 60, the disabled, pregnant women, and caregivers of children under the age of six.
SNAP Payment Schedule in Florida
In March 2025, Florida’s payment schedule will assign dates based on the ninth and eighth digits of the beneficiary’s case number, but not the tenth digit. For example, if your case number is 789, your reference number to determine the payment date is 87 (remember to remove the last digit, the 9).
Having said that, the payment dates for the next few days are as follows:
- Case number ending in 46-48 – March 14th
- Case number ending in 49-53 – March 15th
- Case number ending in 54-57 – March 16th
- Case number ending in 58-60 – March 17th
- Case number ending in 61-64 – March 18th
- Case number ending in 65-67 – March 19th
- Case number ending in 68-71 – March 20th
- Case number ending in 72-74 – March 21st
Maximum SNAP benefit amounts in 2025
This is according to the household’s size, but the amount could be different in every case:
- Household size 1: $292
- Household size 2: $536
- Household size 3: $768
- Household size 4: $975
- Household size 5: $1,158
- Household size 6: $1,390
- Household size 7: $1,536
- Household size 8: $1,756
- Each additional person: $220
Some states plan to prohibit SNAP benefits from purchasing junk food
At least ten states, mainly under Republican governments, are considering limiting the purchase of candy, soda, ice cream and desserts prepared with SNAP funds. A notable proposal is the Healthy SNAP Act, introduced by Congressman Josh Brecheen (R-OK), which argues that the 41.9% of American adults with obesity justify these measures.
Critics, such as food rights organizations, point out that these restrictions could stigmatize beneficiaries and reduce their autonomy. In addition, they highlight the lack of broad federal programs that encourage the consumption of fruits and vegetables: only ten states participate in pilot initiatives of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to subsidize these products.
