Florida Families Dey Smile as SNAP Benefit Increase Land

Miami, Florida – E no go bad at all as Florida families wey dey rely on SNAP benefits go see small increase from October dis year. Thanks to annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), wey average about 2.7% statewide. Dis increase fit help many families wey dey struggle with grocery and housing prices.

Carla Mendoza, wey be food security advocate for Miami, don talk say: “For many Floridians, SNAP no be just assistance — e dey survival.” She no lie because dis year increase no go solve every problem, but e go allow some families fit buy more food for their paddy dem. Gist wey dey go around show say inflation dey chop away people’s money, especially those wey no get plenty, like low-income workers, seniors, and single parents.

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) dey distribute benefits from 1st to 28th of each month, depending on the case number. As we dey mid-month, e good make you know the remaining schedule for October, if your payment no don land. Just check your EBT card balance or call DCF Customer Service for 1-888-356-3281. According to DCF, “Payments dey post early morning on your designated day, and no delays dey expected for October.”

So make we gist about dis COLA wey increase the benefits small for the fiscal year wey go from October 2025 to September 2026. Even though 2.5% to 2.9% increase no too plenty, e fit add better money over time — around $240 to $300 extra per year for many families. Eligibility rules remain mostly the same, but some adjustments dey, especially for income limits and work requirements. Households wey get seniors (60+) or disabled members fit get slight higher income caps.

Make you remember say, you must be U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident to qualify. Undocumented individuals no fit qualify, but children wey be citizens fit still carry dem enter separately. For able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs), Florida dey follow federal participation rules. Starting from 2026, recipients wey dey aged 55 to 64 (before na 49) go need meet one of the requirements to still dey eligible. William Hayes, DCF regional director, don talk say, “Florida’s updated rules dey try balance assistance with workforce participation.” But no worry, exemptions still dey for those wey no fit work at all.

SNAP program dey serve more than 3.5 million Floridians, dey share around $600 million in benefits every month. You fit use these funds for groceries, but no be for non-food items like pet food or cleaning supplies. The way e dey work be say, your benefit go equal maximum allotment minus 30% of your net income. For family wey dey three, if their net monthly income be $1,500, dem go still dey get $335 monthly SNAP benefit after calculations.

Applying for SNAP no go cost you anything, and e fit happen three different ways: online via ACCESS Florida wey be the fastest, by phone for 1-866-762-2237, or you fit waka come your local DCF office or one community partner. DCF dey try process normal applications within 30 days, or 7 days if na urgent matter. According to Dr. Linda Carter, University of Florida economist, “Even a few dollars more each month fit bridge the gap for families wey dey juggle rent and food.” Dis adjustment fit look small, but e dey work to prevent food insecurity from turning into wahala.