FL Finally Applies for Critical Children's Grocery Benefit: Approved For More than a $Billion
Posted October 1, 2021 08:35 am | Public News Service
Photo: Nope LIN via Pixabay | Columbia
County Observer graphic
By
Trimmel Gomes
TALLAHASSEE,
FL – After months of pressuring Gov. Ron DeSantis to
apply for a one-time pandemic food-stamp program, this
week Florida became the last state to apply and get
approval for more than a billion dollars in Pandemic
Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) federal funding.
The program was issued by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture in April to aid those children that depend
on the school meals distributed during the summer. More
than 30 Democratic state lawmakers and 80 advocacy
groups urged the governor to apply for the program.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Niki Fried said it was
shameful for the state to take so long to apply.
"I don't know if it was politically motivated, I don't
know if DCF dropped the ball, and then when we called
them out on it, they had to come up with some excuse,"
Fried asserted. "But regardless, at the end of the day,
the money is coming down to our families across the
state."
A spokesperson for the governor once said Floridians did
not need the program because kids were back in school.
The program is aimed at helping an estimated 2.7 million
children in Florida. Families with children in poverty
will receive an additional $375 in benefits over a
30-day period beginning Nov. 15.
Commissioner Fried said every penny counts for those who
are food insecure: "$375 may not sound like a lot to
some people, but for many Floridians, it will make all
the difference in the world. Providing money to shop for
groceries, so this week's paychecks can cover rent or
car payments."
Children younger than age six who went to child care and
whose families already were enrolled in the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can also apply
for the added benefit.
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