What to Do If You Are Denied Florida Food Stamps

Florida’s Unemployment rate has rose to 10.6%. That means 982,000 Floridans are out of work presently. Keep in mind this is an average for the state, and various independent counties can be higher or lower. If you’ve been recently unemployed, and unfamiliar with state aide, you may find yourself in a whirlwind of new expectations and criteria that are unexpected. Should you fall short in attaining these documents and meeting certain criteria, you will find yourself denied these benefits even though you’ve paid into the system for many years prior in taxes supporting government programs such as Public Assistance.

Be aware that you can check your benefit status daily by logging onto: http://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/. If you don’t have an online account at the moment, it will behoove you to do so. This aleviate’s the daily stress of wondering which Case Notice will require you to devulge more information. You can easily go to Benefit Status and log in. Then Click on My Account. This opens a new page with the information you’ve already submitted, and other areas to add information or review your case. Go to View Your Account Status and Benefit Information. Lastly, click on Verification Needed. Here you’ll note all documents that are required while your application is pending. Please be aware that some of these documents is for DCF’s review and some of your verification already submitted will account for more than one catagory.

If you can’t attain the information requested as per your Case Notice letter, DCF asks that you notify them immediately. There are days that this may be impossible due to the amount of calls they recieve at the Call Center Daily. You can FAX them a letter at any time of the day. This will be documented in your Upload and View My Documents sections on My Access. Check this recently submitted document, giving 48 hours, to ensure they’ve received your FAX. Here you can write a personal letter to verify your information may be delayed.

You may have noticed that the FAX number changes each time you receive a new Case Notice. Also, if your try older FAX numbers you will receive loud phone beeps and be disconnected. Here is a FAX number that is viable all the time, 866-762-2237. Don’t rely on the Call Center to relay this information as once your due date passes for required documentation, you will be denied.

Another helpful avenue I’ve found is your local DCF Center. In Daytona Beach, Florida it is:
210 N. Palmetto Avenue
Daytona Beach, Florida 32114-3284
(386) 238-3100 or (386) 238-4809

Best time to visit the center is early in the morning before the building opens at 8:00AM. There are only two phones, so you can get in line immediately upon entering the building and actually talk to a live representative. If you received a denial letter, by giving them added information, your case will be reopened for a new review. I’ve also called the center from my home to ensure my case is still pending. They can’t give you specific information on your case, but they can let you know if it is still pending for review. While waiting for another 15-30 day review, this can ease the huge burden of confusion.

You can also email them at: https://www.dcf.state.fl.us/contact/contact_email.shtml?recv=ACCESS. Keep in mind you may not receive a confirmation back, but it allows you to voice your opinion and ask for a faster review. Unfortunately, there are thousands of new applicants applying each week. It may take time to answer your email.

If you received your Case Notice and you can’t understand the coding of why the case was denied, go to: https://www.flrules.org/gateway/chapterhome.asp?chapter=65A-1. Here you can look up the codes and see why your case was dismissed. This will help you when you talk to a new DCF representative.

Feel free to FAX additional information and letters as to why you were unable to meet the deadlines. All of this will be added to your case file and expedite your case faster. Don’t give up! If you are entitled to Food Stamps apply! You’ve paid into these programs for years with your taxes, and now it is your turn to reap what is available to you as an unemployed American!


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