DCF opens on-site D-SNAP location in St. Johns County for those needing help getting food after Ian

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Disaster relief in the form of food assistance is available for people impacted by Hurricane Ian at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Casey Penn, DCF’s Assistant Secretary for Economic Self-Sufficiency says residents are welcome to go to the fairgrounds from Thursday through Saturday to apply for the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as D-SNAP.

“For those that are trying to get back on their feet and working through all the difficulties recovering from a disaster, this is that added help that gives you those food incomes so you can go to your local grocery stores and purchase the food necessary for your family, " Penn says.

To qualify for DCF’s Disaster Snap benefits, St. Johns County residents can go online to complete DCF’s pre-registration, and then applicants can do a phone interview or go in person to the St. Johns County Fairgrounds to get approved for an EBT card, according to Penn.

The Disaster SNAP assistance is for those, who do not already have SNAP benefits and also suffered losses during Hurricane Ian in counties that have been declared to be impacted by the storm.

Penn describes some of the kinds of losses that DCF would accept in terms of D-SNAP benefits.

He says, “any loss they experienced related to Hurricane Ian, it could be a power outage and food spoilage. It could be having to do repairs to their home or their property. It can be loss of income.”

If you or your loved ones need food assistance, the Department of Children and Families will be at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds, located at 5840 FL-207 E., from Oct. 27th to Oct. 29th and they are open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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