State of Florida Requests Waiver to Allow Families to Purchase Groceries Online.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

Governor Ron DeSantis has directed Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) to begin developing a plan to implement an online purchasing program for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), recipients.

As of this afternoon, DCF has requested a waiver to permit the State of Florida to launch a pilot project that will allow families to purchase groceries online with their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card.

“After executing Executive Order 20-91 to limit outside activities to essential services, this commonsense policy approach is a no brainer,” said Governor Ron DeSantis, “Allowing Florida families to purchase groceries online instead of venturing into a public store is a sound practice during this public health emergency and yet another step that will help Florida flatten the curve."

 “I commend Governor DeSantis for his tireless efforts to ensure Florida’s most vulnerable population has the information, resources, and services needed to respond to and ultimately endure this public health emergency,” said DCF Secretary Chad Poppell.

Certain federal regulations prohibit SNAP recipients from purchasing groceries online with an EBT card. Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, the State of Florida has submitted a waiver to participate in the U.S Department of Agriculture Online Purchasing Pilot. This program will ensure Floridians can access nutritious food while also practicing social distancing and self-quarantining to reduce the spread of COVID-19. 

For more information regarding Florida’s benefit programs during this time, please contact the visit https://www.myflfamilies.com/covid19/access.shtml, login to your MyACCESS account or contact the customer call center at 850-300-4DCF.