
Florida to give access to SNAP benefits early amid Hurricane Idalia
Brady Knox
Video Embed
Florida is giving recipients in dozens of counties access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits early this month due to Hurricane Idalia.
The Department of Children and Families announced the early release of the program’s September benefits in light of the natural disaster, according to Florida Politics. The department urged recipients to act quickly and use the funds to prepare for the storm.
IDALIA PATH TRACKER WATCH LIVE: WHERE IS THE HURRICANE AND WHERE WILL IT MAKE LANDFALL
“We know how helpful the early release of food assistance benefits can be for our SNAP recipients in purchasing non-perishable items in preparing for the storm or in replenishing food losses after the storm,” department Secretary Shevaun Harris said.
“If you are in the path of this storm, it is important to finalize your preparations. The Department will do all that it can to support those impacted by this storm.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The funds have already been added to electronic benefit transfer cards in 46 counties around the state: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Osceola, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, and Wakulla counties.
The counties were all included in Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R-FL) recent state of emergency order. The order included 49 of Florida’s 67 counties.