Florida Department of Children and Families COVID-19 | Coronavirus Policies
From: https://myflfamilies.com/covid19/access.shtml
To safeguard the public and employees from the spread of COVID-19, all ACCESS storefronts and lobbies are currently closed to public access. With more than 90 percent of customers filing for benefits online or by phone, closing storefronts to protect our employees and the public is the best mitigation strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The quickest way to make changes or check the status of your benefits, and avoid any wait time, is to use the ACCESS Self-Service Portal, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- To apply for food assistance (SNAP), cash assistance (TANF) or Medicaid, individuals should go to https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/.
- Clients logging in to the ACCESS Self-Service Portal should go to https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/.
- Customers are required to complete an interview to receive benefits. Customers should call 1-866-762-2237 or 850-300-4323 (TTY 1-800-955-8771) to complete an interview telephonically.
- Customers can order an EBT card, get information about EBT transactions, or report an EBT card as lost or stolen at https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/ or by calling 1-888-356-3281.
- If you have trouble understanding English or need help communicating with the Department of Children and Families, Economic Self-Sufficiency Program, please call 1-866-762-2237 or 850-300-4323.
- If you are an individual with a disability and need help with the application process or other ACCESS services, please find the region point of contact listed at the following website: https://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/individual-with-disability/auxiliary-aids-plan.shtml.
Recertification Extension
To ensure Floridians can safely access SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid benefits, DCF has implemented a six-month recertification extension for individuals and families scheduled to recertify in April or May.
- Extending the recertification period, allows the state to ensure the continuity of, and safe access to, SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid benefits during the current public health crisis and periods of social distancing. For more information regarding Florida’s benefit programs during this time, please visit https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/ or contact the customer call center at 850-300-4DCF.
- To check the status of your recertification, log into your MyACCESS account here: https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/.
Work Requirements Waiver
At the request of Governor DeSantis, and in accordance with the federal Families First Coronavirus Act, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) will waive work requirements for individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
- DCF and the Department of Economic Opportunity have partnered to apply good cause statewide for TANF and SNAP recipients normally subject to participate in mandatory work requirements as a condition to receive program benefits effective immediately. The temporary suspension of mandatory work requirements will alleviate any undue burden during this public health emergency on individuals normally required to participate in these programs with no disruptions to the receipt of cash and/or food assistance benefits.
- To check the status of your benefits, report changes, receive information faster by opting-in to receive electronic notifications, and upload documents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, log into your MyACCESS account here: https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/.
Maintain Medicaid Eligibility
We will maintain Medicaid eligibility for current recipients through the last day of the month of the state of emergency. This means no Medicaid recipient will lose Medicaid eligibility during the state of emergency. We are working on notifying recipients who may have received a termination notice in the month of March that their benefits will continue.
Extended Time to Complete Medicaid Application
During this state of emergency, individuals applying for Medicaid may be unable to submit all the documentation required to process their application. Beginning with applications received in February 2020, we are extending the timeframe for individuals to submit any necessary paperwork to 120 days from the date the application was received. If the Medicaid application is approved, the individual’s Medicaid eligibility effective date will still be the first day of the month that the initial application was received.
