D-SNAP for Florida: What to know about getting assistance following Hurricane Idalia

Samantha Neely, Fort Myers News-Press
Updated ·5 min read
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In the wake of Hurricane Idalia's devastation to parts of Florida, certain programs are stepping up to assist those impacted by the late-August storm.

The Department of Children and Families announced multiple flexibilities for SNAP recipients impacted by Hurricane Idalia, from allowing the purchase of hot foods to receiving benefits early.

"We believe these flexibilities will help support families through the immediate recovery process, particularly households still awaiting power restoration,” DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris said regarding Idalia's hit. “Our team has deployed to several communities to bring supplies, and additional supports."

But how do these compare their D-SNAP program for when disasters hit? For Floridians seeking assistance, here's what to know about the D-SNAP program and who qualifies currently.

How to help Hurricane Idalia victims: How much damage has Hurricane Idalia caused? How to donate to impacted Floridians

What is the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or D-SNAP?

The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is managed by the United States Department of Agriculture and provides food assistance to low-income households with food loss or damage caused by a natural disaster.

Before operating D-SNAP in a disaster area, a state must receive an Individual Assistance declaration from the president. The state must then request and receive approval from USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to operate a D-SNAP.

How can you qualify for Florida food assistance?

D-SNAP uses different standards than the standard SNAP. Even if a resident might not normally qualify for SNAP, they may qualify for D-SNAP if they had one of the disaster-related expenses below:

  • Home or business repairs.

  • Temporary shelter expenses.

  • Evacuation or relocation expenses.

  • Disaster-related personal injury, including funeral expenses

  • Lost or no access to income due to the disaster; includes reduced, terminated, or delayed receipt of income, for a large part of the benefit period.

  • In some cases, food loss after a disaster like flooding or power outages.

Can I apply for D-SNAP benefits in Florida?

At the moment, the USDA has not granted approval Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding to all Florida residents who qualify. However, the Department of Children and Families has announced three flexibilities for current SNAP recipients impacted by Hurricane Idalia.

Residents can reach out their local Department of Children and Families sites for more information. To locate a local DCF office near you, visit their website here.

If I already have SNAP benefits, can I still get D-SNAP benefits too?

If a resident is a current SNAP client in Florida, they can request a supplement when their state operates a D-SNAP if they meet the conditions below:

  • They currently get benefits that are less than the monthly maximum, and

  • They have losses from the disaster.

The supplement brings their benefits up to the maximum for their household size. This way benefits are equal between D-SNAP and SNAP households after a disaster.

Current SNAP clients may also contact their local office to request replacement benefits for food lost in the disaster and bought with SNAP benefits.

How has Hurricane Idalia impacted D-SNAP benefits?

On Aug. 29, Florida DCF amended its request for early issuance of September 2023 benefits to SNAP households that receive their benefits between Sept. 1 and Sept. 14 to add Brevard, Orange and Osceola counties.

The amendment increased the total to 49 counties approved for early issuance. The early issuance allowed households to prepare for the storm prior to making landfall or immediately after landfall.

The initial waiver was approved on Aug. 29 and applied to SNAP benefits to all households in 46 counties:

  • Alachua

  • Baker

  • Bay

  • Bradford

  • 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

  • Pasco

  • Pinellas

  • Polk

  • Putnam

  • Sarasota

  • Seminole

  • St. Johns

  • Sumter

  • Suwannee

  • Taylor

  • Union

  • Volusia

  • Wakulla

On Sept. 2, FNS approved the Florida DCF request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. This waiver approval allows SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through Oct. 1.

The Hot Food Waiver is for the following 23 counties: Alachua, Baker, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Madison, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, and Wakulla.

On Sept. 3, FNS approved the Florida Department of Children and Families request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of benefits as stated in the approval due to power outages and flooding in Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Pasco, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla.

Once I'm approved for benefits, do I get a card?

If approved for D-SNAP benefits, you will receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT, card in the mail within 5-7 business days. You can use the card just like a debit card to buy allowable food at local FNS-authorized retail stores.

How do I check my SNAP balance?

According to DCF, the best way to know your balance is to refer to your last receipt.

You may also obtain your balance by logging on to the EBT Cardholder Portal or by calling the EBT Customer Service number on the back of your card at 1-888-356-3281. After you enter your 16 digit EBT card number you will hear your current food assistance or cash account balance.

How can I check to see if D-SNAP has been approved in my area?

To see if D-SNAP has been activated for your disaster, go to

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida SNAP food assistance clients see added benefits after Idalia