Since declaring a public health emergency, DCF has received nearly one million public assistance applications and peaked call volume more than doubled. “We’re grateful of the support of USDA and we look forward to continued collaboration with our state and federal partners throughout the duration of the pandemic and beyond.”Īt Governor DeSantis’ direction and DCF Secretary Chad Poppell’s leadership the Economic Self-Sufficiency (ESS) program made necessary adjustments to the workforce, including repurposing over 1,300 current employees to manage the increased call volume and process the surge of new applications. But until that day comes – and it will – DCF is prepared to continue providing the financial support our family, friends, and neighbors needed to make it through this time of unprecedented stress and strain,” said DCF Secretary Chad Poppell. “It’s clear that the Governor is working tirelessly to help Floridians impacted by COVID-19, while also flattening the curve and planning a safe reopening of the state. “These timely and proactive efforts taken by DCF helps ensure the good people of Florida have access to the support and resources they need.” “With nearly three million Floridians participating in SNAP alone, I’m confident that these policy initiatives are in our state’s best interest – they will help us safely and gradually re-establish normalcy and ultimately allow families to thrive post-COVID-19,” said Governor DeSantis. Once approved, current SNAP recipients will receive this additional benefit amount automatically. Following initial approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), SNAP recipients’ maximum monthly allotment (based on household size) will be increased for the month of May. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) announced the extension of good cause for the month of May and the submission of a federal waiver, to assist Floridians participating in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) during the current public health emergency. If you discover your SNAP account has been hacked, email or contact your local SNAP office.DCF has also made workforce adjustments and instituted a series of policy initiatives to simplify the application process to provide timely benefits to Florida Families 27, 2023.įlorida’s plan was approved by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service on May 25 with the plan estimated to go into effect on Aug. The law allows for the replacement of benefits stolen through these methods in limited circumstances.īy law, the state plans were due on Feb. “So the same groups - the Romanians, Chinese, Russians, and the Nigerians that attacked our unemployment insurance system - are hitting the SNAP program at scale across the country.”Īccording to the USDA, victims of skimming devices in every state have a good chance of getting their money back.Ĭongress passed a law in late 2022 to help SNAP participants who are victims of card skimming, cloning and other similar methods. “You have limited controls over the retailers and the Point of Service terminals,” Talcove said. The Secret Service said the end game is to use SNAP to purchase and resell “high demand items,” like energy drinks, baby formula, diapers and cosmetics. “Keep in mind, the USDA spent $157 billion last year on the SNAP program, 1/20th of 1% on enforcement,” he said. Talcove said his data is based on police reports in Florida and across the country. “If the USDA would literally spend $80 million, they could shut this down.” “That money was stolen, it belongs to people who are food insecure,” he told News 6. Talcove is convinced stepped up security software could stop the skimmer thieves. Haywood Talcove, CEO of Lexis Nexus Risk Solutions, an information and fraud analytics company, said new data suggests Florida will lose close to $600 million to SNAP thieves this year. “It’s huge right now,” Fuentes told News 6. Senior Special Agent Roger Fuentes said anywhere from $500 to $10,000 per SNAP debit card is being stolen every month. – The Orlando Secret Service is warning Florida SNAP recipients to be aware that the devices you use to swipe your EBT debit cards could be designed to steal the funds in your account.Īgents told News 6 traveling gangs are placing skimmers on point-of-sale terminals inside supermarkets and convenience stores frequented by SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Funds, recipients.
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