What types of Help does DCF Offer?
The Department of Children and Families, Economic Self Sufficiency Program has several programs that can help Florida families. They include, Food Assistance, Temporary Cash Assistance, Medicaid and Refugee Assistance.
Each of these programs has its own eligibility rules. Florida uses one application for all assistance programs.
The Office of Economic Self Sufficiency (ESS) self service portal allows customers to connect with their public assistance information 24/7.
Assistance Programs
The Food Assistance Program helps individuals and families purchase nutritional foods needed to maintain and promote good health. The Temporary Cash Assistance program provides financial assistance to pregnant women in their third trimester and families with dependent children to assist in the payment of rent, utilities and other household expenses. The Medicaid Program provides medical assistance to individuals and families to cover or assist in the cost of services that are medically necessary.
Other Benefits
By meeting SNAP eligibility, you are also qualified for other benefits, including:
- Healthy Families Florida (healthyfamiliesfla.org)
- National School Lunch Program in Florida (fdacs.gov)
- Head Start Home (flheadstart.org)
- Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY)—Florida Locations (usf.edu)
(Some programs may have waiting lists, prioritized service availability or additional requirements)
Florida uses Broad Based Categorical Eligibility to determine eligibility for SNAP.
Contact Us
(850) 300-4323
Florida Relay 711 or
TTY: 1-800-955-8771
FAX: 1-866-886-4342
Mailing Address
ACCESS Central Mail Center
P.O. Box 1770
Ocala, FL 34478-1770