Florida SNAP benefits officially resume, officials say

LAKELAND, Fla. — After weeks of waiting, SNAP recipients across the Bay area should soon see their benefits.

The Florida Department of Children and Families recently announced that all previously scheduled benefits that were delayed due to the government shutdown have now been issued.

The mother of three, Hannah Hendry, keeps up with the latest SNAP benefit updates through Propel — an app for recipients. While Hendry says some of the information has been discouraging, she has kept a brave face for her daughters with help from family and local pantries.

“This was food bank. That was food bank. All of this was food bank,” Hendry said, pointing at the food in her cabinets.

Over the past few weeks, in addition to her own trips to food banks, Hendry says she has also shared a lot of the food she received with her neighbors. She says many of them are still without their benefits.

“So I’m hoping my food stamps come on time, especially if theirs still hasn’t so I can grab some sides for Thanksgiving,” she said.

According to the Florida Department of Children and Families, all November SNAP benefits have been issued to eligible recipients as of last week. Residents scheduled to get their benefits after Nov. 14 will receive them on their normal date. However, Hendry says she and her neighbors received different information through the Propel app.

“The most recent update said that it would probably be November/December,” she said. “So I hate to say it, but I don’t find it surprising that it might be after Thanksgiving.”

With that said, Hendry plans to hold on to faith that she’ll receive her benefits before then. If anything changes, she says she’ll be one of the first to know.

Florida SNAP benefits are released between the first and the 28th of each month, depending on your case number. State officials say if you’ve already submitted an application or renewal, there’s no need to reapply. Doing so will slow down the process.