FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 26, 2004
CONTACT: (850) 921-0384

Disaster Food Stamps for Ivan and Frances Victims to Begin October 5, 2004

TALLAHASSEE - The Department of Children & Families, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will begin taking applications for Disaster Food Stamps (DFS) next week in counties affected by Hurricanes Frances and Ivan.

Beginning Tuesday October 5, 2004, eligible hurricane victims in the following counties may apply for DFS benefits: Brevard, Palm Beach, Citrus, St. Lucie, Okechobee, Indian River, Martin, Flagler, Volusia, Escambia, Okaloosa, Walton, Santa Rosa, and Holmes.

(note: Brevard, Palm Beach, Citrus, St. Lucie, Okechobee, Indian River, and Martin counties were slated to begin the DFS program on Monday, September 27, 2004, but have been postponed due to Hurricane Jeanne. A decision to postpone or to proceed with DFS in Orange County will be announced by mid-day Monday, September 27, 2004.)

To qualify, applicants must have experienced damage to their home or self-employment property or must have had a loss of income as a result of the storms. Applicants must also be income eligible as defined by having net income less than the Disaster Food Stamp Program limit.

Benefits are based on family size. One person is eligible for $141 in relief. A family of four is eligible for $471 in benefits.

Persons who currently receive benefits in the regular Food Stamp Program are not eligible for Disaster Food Stamp benefits.

DCF has already provided $9,346,905 to hurricane victims in Hardee, Highlands, Polk, Osceola, Lee, DeSoto, and Charlotte counties. More than 80,000 Floridians have received benefits and more than 42,000 applications are currently being processed.

For more information on the Disaster Food Stamp Program, including specific dates, times and locations in your area, please call your local DCF office or 1-800-342-9274.

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