Florida Food Stamp Questions

• The Department of Children and Families issues food stamps in Florida. healthy food image by Julija Sapic from Fotolia.com

  While the federal government initiated the food stamp program to help low-income households purchase food, individual states are responsible for implementing and running the program. Before receiving food stamps, the Florida Food Assistance Program requires you to meet certain eligibility requirements. The state also limits the types of products you can buy with your food stamps.

What Are Florida's Income Requirements?

• To qualify for food stamps, your household income --- the combined gross income of each member living within the household --- must not surpass the federal poverty level by more than 200 percent and your net income must be less than the FPL. Residents of Florida who are at least 60 years old only have to meet the net income requirement.

What Are Florida's Work Requirements?

• If you fall between the ages of 18 and 50, do not have dependent children and are not pregnant, you must be employed or participate in workfare programs to qualify for food stamps. If you have children or are pregnant, you don't need to be employed to receive benefits. However, if you are unemployed, you can receive three months of benefits per three-year period.

If I Have Assets, Can I Still Qualify for Food Stamps?

• As long as your assets such as vehicles, bank accounts and property don't exceed $2,000, you still qualify for food stamps. If your household includes a 60-year-old or older or a disabled person, your assets must not add up to more than $3,000.

What Would Make Me Ineligible for Food Stamps?

• If you have a drug trafficking conviction, a felony warrant out for your arrest or consciously break Food Assistance Program rules, the state of Florida won't provide you with food stamps. The state also disqualifies noncitizens without qualified alien status. Qualified status refers to refugees, deportees or those granted asylum.

What Can I Buy With Food Stamps?

• You can use your food stamps to buy fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, breads, cereals and seeds to grow food that would feed your household. You cannot use your food stamps to purchase beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, tobacco, pet food, soap, paper products, vitamins, medicine or hot foods.

What Is the SUNCAP Program?

• A special part of the Florida Food Assistance Program, SUNCAP offers food assistance to people who receive Supplemental Security Income. Your SSI interview and paperwork serves as your food stamp paperwork as well, so you don't have to complete any additional applications, paperwork or interviews.