Cash, food assistance applications spike during coronavirus pandemic, hit two-decade high

ORLANDO, Fla. — 9 Investigates found applications for cash or food assistance through the Department of Children and Families spiked in March to a two-decade high of more than 264,000 new requests for help.

DCF officials told Channel 9 that work requirements were waived through the month of May to allow more people to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, known as SNAP, during the pandemic. The agency also released maximum benefits to all SNAP households through the month of May. Despite the additional assistance, a local lawmaker said some families may not even know they qualify.

Unlike the Department of Economic Opportunity’s website, the DCF Access website hasn’t had any interruptions even though use of the site has increased by about 10 million additional transactions per day during the pandemic. That’s thanks to emergency capacity purchased by the agency during the last hurricane season.

READ: Coronavirus: Here’s how to apply for food stamps, financial assistance

That has allowed thousands to apply for help, including Jorge Lebron’s mother. She’s been off her retail job during the COVID-19 crisis.

“She now gets the maximum benefit, which I think is about $350 a month,” Lebron said, explaining she was originally only approved to receive $16 a month in food assistance. “I’m grateful she’s getting the maximum benefits right now.”

With the number of people out of work right now, state Rep. Anna Eskamani believes the need for food assistance is likely greater than the number of applications coming in.

“Many families don’t know that these opportunities are there, so we need to make a commitment to talk about it more, and the state of Florida should be doing more promoting it as well,” Eskamani said.

She believes fear of stigma may prevent some families from seeking help from SNAP.

DCF officials believe they hit the “peak” of requests for assistance in mid-April. Click here for more information about assistance available.

Video: Hundreds line up for free food distribution event amid coronavirus pandemic Rep. Randolph Bracy held a free food distribution event Friday morning in Orlando, with enough food to feed about 500 local families.

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