Key Updates for Florida SNAP Benefits: Thousands Will Start Receiving Payments on April 1

In Florida, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps low-income families buy food and maintain better nutrition. Managed by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), SNAP provides benefits through an EBT card, which works like a debit card at authorized grocery stores, including online platforms like Walmart, Amazon, and Publix.

If you’re already a recipient or planning to apply, here’s a clear and simple guide to everything you need to know about SNAP payments, eligibility, and benefit amounts in April 2025.

What Can SNAP Benefits Be Used For?

SNAP benefits are meant to help families purchase nutritious, unprepared food. This includes:

Fresh fruits and vegetables
Meat, dairy, and bread
Seeds or plants for home gardens

These benefits cannot be used for:

Alcohol or tobacco
Hot/prepared foods
Vitamins or supplements
Toiletries or household products

According to the USDA, “The program prioritizes basic nutrition, not supplements or luxuries.”

Bonus Program: Fresh Access Bucks

Florida also participates in Fresh Access Bucks, a USDA-funded program that doubles your SNAP benefits at participating farmers markets when you buy fresh produce or plants for growing food.

April 2025 SNAP Payment Schedule in Florida

SNAP benefits in Florida are deposited between April 1 and April 28, based on a unique system that uses the 8th and 9th digits of your case number (read in reverse), excluding the 10th digit.

For example: If your case number ends in …560348921, the 8th and 9th digits are 4 and 8. Reversed, that’s 84—which would fall in a later payment group.

Here are the first 10 SNAP deposit groups for April:

00–03: April 1
04–06: April 2
07–10: April 3
11–13: April 4
14–17: April 5
18–20: April 6
21–24: April 7
25–27: April 8
28–31: April 9
32–34: April 10

Additional groups will receive benefits through April 28, and the full schedule is available through the DCF website or local offices.

How Much SNAP Can You Get? (By Household Size)

The amount of SNAP benefits you receive depends on your household size. Here’s the maximum monthly benefit for April 2025:

1 person: $292
2 people: $536
3 people: $768
4 people: $975
5 people: $1,158
6 people: $1,390
7 people: $1,536
8 people: $1,756
Each additional person: +$220

These are federal guidelines adjusted each year to reflect cost-of-living changes.

Who Can Apply for SNAP Benefits in Florida?

To qualify for SNAP in Florida, your eligibility is based on income, household size, and available resources. Here’s a simplified overview:

Gross income: Must be under 130% of the federal poverty level
Net income: Must be under 100% of the poverty level
Financial resources: Must be under $3,000 (or $4,500 if a member is elderly or disabled)

Work Requirements:

Adults 18 to 59 years old without dependents must work at least 20 hours a week or enroll in a job training program.
Exemptions include:
- Pregnancy
- Physical or mental disability
- Caregiving for a dependent

How to Apply for SNAP in Florida

You can apply in one of the following ways:

Online: Through the MyACCESS Florida portal
In person: At your local DCF office
By mail or fax: Download forms from the DCF site

After applying, you may need to complete an interview by phone or in person. Once approved, your EBT card will be reloaded with monthly benefits.