The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) has already started distributing SNAP benefits for April 2025 on the first of the month.
These funds, aimed at low-income households, will be distributed via EBT cards using a system based on the case number of each beneficiary. The methodology, while specific, aims to ensure transparency in deposit dates.
SNAP benefits case numbers in Florida are ten digits long, which is important to remember because the date you will be paid each month is always the same and is determined by this number.
Payments will be allocated based on the case number’s eighth and ninth digits (excluding the tenth). The schedule begins on the first and ends on the 28th of each month. Those who want to confirm their exact date should consult official DCF documentation or use the agency’s online portal.
Monthly SNAP allocations by household size
SNAP amounts vary depending on the number of members in each household. By April 2025, the allocations will be as follows:
- 1 person: $292.
- 2 people: $536.
- 3 people: $768.
- 4 people: $975.
- 5 people: $1,158.
- 6 people: $1,390.
- 7 people: $1,536.
- 8 people: $1,756.
- Each additional member gets $220 extra
These funds are intended for the purchase of basic foods such as fruits, dairy products, meats, and bread, as well as seeds for home cultivation.
Inflation and the cost of living are among the factors considered during the annual adjustment. Certain product purchase restrictions have recently been approved, but we will discuss them later in this article.
The closest payment dates for groups of SNAP benefits beneficiaries in Florida are as follows:
- 00-03: April 1.
- 04-06: April 2.
- 07-10: April 3.
- 11-13: April 4.
- From 14 to 17: April 5.
- From 18 to 20: April 6.
- 21-24: April 7.
- 25-27: April 8.
- 28-31: April 9.
- 32-34: April 10.
One state is the first to approve restrictions on purchases of certain products with SNAP benefits
As Florida prepares to make payments, Idaho sets a national precedent with House Bill 109, which prohibits using SNAP benefits to buy candy and soda.
The bill, which passed both the state Senate and the House, now awaits Governor Brad Little’s signature. If it passes into law, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) must approve it.
The regulations redefine what constitutes “sweets,” excluding items like energy bars and milk-based desserts.
Its final approval in Idaho would not result in immediate changes, as the USDA must assess its compliance with federal policies. Currently, no states have exemptions for restricting foods based on nutritional value.
This move has been well received by movements and organizations that promote good nutrition for low-income families.
Representative Josh Brecheen is promoting the Healthy SNAP Act, which seeks to exclude soft drinks, ice cream, and processed desserts from permitted purchases. If approved, this legislation would apply at the federal level as well as in states that move in that direction.
Defenders argue that they promote healthier eating habits, while critics claim that they limit family autonomy. The USDA has not issued an official position, but its decision will set a precedent for other states.
In Florida, the focus is still on ensuring that the state’s 2.8 million recipients receive their funds on time. To avoid inconvenience, DCF recommends that you check your portal on a regular basis for updates.
