Keeping up with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Florida can be confusing due to the way the calendar is set up.
To help you, we have put together a simple guide that includes important information, like payment dates and the maximum amounts approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which is the federal agency in charge of these funds.
Stay with us to find out more about SNAP benefits (previously called food stamps) and see if your household will get payments soon.
SNAP benefits in Florida: basics to understand the program
SNAP recipients get their benefits on an EBT card that works like a debit card. This card is loaded with food stamps’ allotments, which can be used at stores that accept this payment method. The Access Florida card is how people get their food and cash benefits from the state.
The best way to apply for food stamps is online using the MyAccess Florida website. If you want to apply in person, you can reach out to your local service office or call the Florida SNAP hotline at 1-866-762-2237 for more details. You can also fill out a paper application for those who might not have internet access.
After you submit your application to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), they have 30 days to review it and let you know their decision, either yes or no. This process involves making a phone call for an interview and sending in the necessary documents.
In certain cases, like households with no income or those in urgent need, applications can be handled faster, usually within 7 days. This is called “food stamps expedited.”
If your household is approved for benefits, you will receive an EBT card, usually within 5-7 business days after approval. If you have lost your EBT card or it has been stolen, call the EBT customer service right away to get a replacement. Benefits should usually be paid within 30 days of approval. If it is urgent, they should be paid within 7 days.
Maximum SNAP benefit amounts in Florida in 2025
These are the maximum SNAP allocations for the lower 48 states and DC (October 2024 to September 2025), including Florida, according to the USDA website:
- Household size, 1 person: $292.
- Household size, 2 people: $536.
- Household size, 3 people: $768.
- Household size, 4 people: $975.
- Household size, 5 people: $1,158.
- Household size, 6 people: $1,390.
- Household size, 7 people: $1,536.
- Household size, 8 people: $1,756.
- Each additional person: $220.
If you live in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico, the costs are different because living expenses in those places are usually higher than in the mainland US (the lower 48 states and Washington, DC).
