Turned away from a post-hurricane food assistance center? Here’s what to do next

Over the weekend, several food assistance centers in Miami-Dade and Broward were abruptly shut down by local and state officials because of “health and safety concerns,” turning away thousands who lined up for the benefits.

Authorities said the crowd was just too overwhelming, leaving gridlocked streets at a standstill. Medics and police had to respond to many cases of heat exhaustion, as well as fights among “frustrated participants” applying for D-SNAP, the Department of Children and Families’ Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The DCF program offers food benefits in 48 counties to households that sustained disaster-related losses and qualify under the program’s income limits. Activated in response to Hurricane Irma last month, the program gives successful applicants EBT cards with funds that activate within two to three days so they can buy groceries for the upcoming month.

So what happens if you were turned away? Will there be another opportunity to apply for the benefits?

According to DCF, yes, they just don’t known when and where yet.

Information on dates, times, and locations will be posted on the Food for Florida website. DCF spokeswoman Jessica Sims would not specify when the agency would announce new information. Sunday, Oct. 15, was the last scheduled in-person sign-up date — and about 50,000 people lined up at a single location.

Officials say those applying can fill out the initial pre-registration application online, which can reduce wait times.

However, in order to complete the process, applicants would need to appear in person whenever a food assistance center opens again.

For more information visit: www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/access/fff/.

This story was originally published October 15, 2017 at 7:42 PM with the headline "Turned away from a post-hurricane food assistance center? Here’s what to do next."