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I am a professional who cannot secure a job due to the horrendous economy in Florida & therefore had to apply for food stamp assistance. My worker has proved completely unprofessional & incompetent and the agency (DCF Food Stamp Assistance) has proved completely unresponsive to my inquiries. Despite having met the criteria for expeditied foodstamps and having completed an interview and provided the requested information, my case worker failed to remove the hold from my account which caused me to lose all of my July Food Stamp benefits. I've called my worker, Jarvis Greene, more than 7 times and he has not returned any of my phone calls, despite previously stating to me that all he had to do was 'change my information' in the system to remove the hold status on my account since he had received all of the necessary verification information he requested from me. Initially, he actually refused to provide me with his name & was only able to find it out by leaving all of the phone messages requesting he contact me, on his office answering machine. I've also sent a complaint and request for appeal to DCF ACCESS customer service center and received absolutly no response. If anyone has any idea of how to get the attention on these incompetent civil servant or even better, whom ever they have to account to if anyone, I would sincerely appreciate it. I wouldn't be applying for food stamps unless I desperately needed them, which is humiliating enough, but to be treated so dismissively by people who are paid by my taxes is not tolerable. Thank God I don't have children to feed and do have family to help me otherwise I would be at a soup kitchen.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
The DCF phone line has refused calls for over a year from what I've read online. Last time I received SNAP I was homeless and they gave me $10 a month. These people are stealing funds. There's no other explanation. Paid by our taxes to refuse service.
It's July 2023 and nothing has changed my food stamps were supposed to be expedited and over a month later nothing can't get a hold of anyone with any answers
Waiting two months now, no help! State of fl helps no one, been on hold 4 + hours for them to hang up on you..
I renewed my foodstamps over a month and a half ago and is still pending, I cannot get thru to a supervisor when I'm switched over to another extention. I have called and spent over 18 hrs. trying to get a call back. I am not having a Thanksgiving and have had to use bill money for food. My benefits online reads verification needed, and I put my check stubs in from the beginning, and no verifications are requested from me. How I understand is a supervisor needs to fix this but I can't get thru to a supervisor. Frustrating.
I am a refugee from the former Yugoslavia, I have 7 children, I have not worked for a long time, only my wife works alone, we have no income from the state like money for the children, for the children. they gave me only 77 dollars a month for food stamps, isn't that a big shame for America. what should I buy the children for 77 dollars. this is nowhere but where I am, thank you America.
Florida food stamps is basically a scam. They give money to people who have jobs and children or don't, and don't even care. I apply I gotta have a job simply because the color of my skin. The only thing this place accomplishes is killing people or starving them. I'd love to meet someone who works for these people in person probably be the most pivotal moment in my life. All you gotta do is tell the truth. Food stamps shouldn't be that big of a deal only a few years left of existence. Let people eat Jesus Christ
My food stamp case was put on hold and then denied because they said didn’t receive my information in time! I uploaded the information in plenty of time! I was finally able to get a hold of someone that said I had to resubmit a document and give it 24 hours and then call back I have been trying to call back for a week and keep getting the recording that they are having high call volume to try my call later and then it hangs up now they have denied me and I have repeatedly called my case worker Christopher and have left messages and no calls back. We are desperate and need food we are waiting for my husband to get his SSI benefits because he cannot work and I am trying to get a job! Please help us
After completing my phone interview and qualifying for expedited benefits , it still says I need to call for a phone interview ...3 weeks later . I have spoken with 6 different people and was told that a supervisor was taking care of it . Nothing changed . I have called the number for my case worker 8 times with not a single call back . Im no farther today than I was 3 weeks ago after at least 20 hours if hold time on a telephone , 20+ calls , fulfilling requirements etc. And for it to say didn't make deadline for interview yet every person I talk to says they see I did yet not a single one can or has updated it is ludicrous. The fact that noone with dfcs seems to care is even worse .
At least you get an interview. I have called my case worker 20times still no call back. Of course hold times are 2hrs plus even if u call at exactly 8am. They make sure u cant complain to anyone. Im bout to start just STEALING food! Ive paid taxes for 20 plus years and now need help. And basically SCREWED. OUR GOVERNMENT IS GARBAGE. I think ill eventually pick up a trade and become a 1099 worker. Never pay taxes again acrew it. Tell FLORIDA CORRECTIONS TO PREPARE MORE ROOMS because people will start stealing food if they can pay for it, NO1 WANTS TO DIE!
I’m in the same boat
I’m in the same boat
Can someone please help me on what email or who to contact regarding benefits in Broward County? I re applied and did the phone interview , uploaded all required documents on the portal and also faxed them just in case over a month ago and now my case says closed because the case worker did not handle my case in time! And everyone you call after 8am it hangs up saying to try again later. Two different days last week I spent 4 hours each time on hold for them to tell me they are behind and they can only message the case worker and not sure if either person did because my case is now closed due to them not finishing my case in time!
If you’re having a problem with receiving or have applied for food stamps and are getting no where I recommend contacting “The Office of Appeals Hearing in Tallahassee Florida at [protected]. First you must Appeal your case on the Florida Access page in your account. Document everything, keep all phone call records received and made to DCF food stamps. Document all dates and times. Even keep your voicemail if they call you. Also screen shot your documents you uploaded and note the status, file number, date and time. If someone from DCF calls and wants to talk about the hearing with you be careful they do not work for the hearing office. The hearing Office will identify themselves.Remember keep notes of every action you do with the DCF food stamp office. This has to stop and don’t be ashamed to apply because that’s why DCF exist is to help you. I wish you well.
Thank you!
Going through it too. Husband lost a 14yr career (no explanation even given). We have 3 daughters. The first time, we were given the expedited, pending stuff to submit. We submitted all of it. Contacted our case worker multiple times to make sure everything was going through and could never get in contact with her even after leaving multiple voicemails. The due date comes and we wake up to our application being completely denied and no more food stamps. Put in another application and no expedited this time. Finally received an email last night to contact the care worker for an interview, but guess what? Straight to voicemail and it’s full so we can’t even leave a message. How am I supposed to feed my kids right now? Over 100 job applications placed and all we get is paltry “we’re very interested!” responses at best. We’ve done everything short of selling all of our furniture to feed them. Which is going to be next thanks to the Florida food stamp program. We’ve never been in such a situation before and all they’ve done is expressed our dread and loathing and added stress to this whole entire debacle. Thanks for nothing.
I am currently going through the same thing, but my worker takes it one step further by removing the documents I submit to the access portal. Then back dates notices so it looks like she had already requested the documents I submitted and she removed. I have written letters, the latest one was last night a court documents because I'm a foster parent and a letter to her boss. Do you those documents were removed also what person removes the judges documents for a child already in need of safe place. She also did not answer ANY of my calls. But that Florida statute they quoted at the end of each of all of our letters saying we didn't do the phone interview also stated at the bottom " if a department employee schedule a telephone interview they are RESPONSIBLE for answering the phone when the client calls ".
Technically we could all sign a classaction lawsuit against department of children and families and win.
Who is will to sign on with me
I literally am having so much stress over worrying about having food because I can't get through or get a response I even faxed something these are the same people that will come in your house and take your child if you don't have food I am on high blood pressure medication between unemployment and now this they tell me in my letter to call between 8 and 11 all it does is go to somebody saying their name and I can't leave a message cuz it's full yesterday I got through it rang had to leave a message and evidently the letter they sent me doesn't match what she said it says I have to call between 8 and 11 her message said I only do interviews between 9 and 10 okay you need people to sign let me know I'm with it these people take children from their homes it's terrible and they don't drug test the people they put these kids with
Same situation! No answers or call backs so I got denied ..I am willing to sue tf out of the pieces of [censored]!
Has anyone else contacted you about signing a document for class action against this corrupt agency? I would be willing to do so.
Same issue since February 2021 workers refuse to respond or return my calls. I even took a photo of a message I wrote out to them and uploaded to the access site and it says it's on file telling them I've tried calling over 30 something times but nobody returns my calls when I call says worker has stepped away from the desk or is on the phone leave my message I left messages with my social security number my name my cell number. Denied for failure to do m the phone technical verification .I tried day after day.
I'm disabled and had to do a renewal so I did my renewal before the deadline, 2weeks later I got a letter stating I had to do a phone interview before or on the 2nd of September between 9 an 10 am, so between the Thursday and Friday I called the phone number provided to me to contact, I called the phone # Thursday and Friday 27 times and just kept getting ( an name then saying is not answering then saying box is full then hangs up, ) Monday between 9 and 10 I called another 7 times and got the same response as Thursday and Friday, 3 days ago I received a letter denying my application stating that my application what is bonide for the following reasons reasons, 1 failure to do the phone interview, 2 receiving same type of benefits through someone else, ( witch I'm not and have absolutely no idea what they're talkin about, ) I've contacted the office held for over 1 1/2 hours just to be disconnected, called back the following morning and got an option for them to return my call needless to say no one returned my call that's happened twice already,
I also was denied after not getting a call back for my phone interview. I was given a deadline of August 9 on the original notice for a phone interview on the postmark postage was paid on August 9. I immediately contacted them on the answering machine multiple times with detailed information never to hear anything. I feel it was a setup to fail. I have lost time, benefits, and had to reapply. I am feeling like there is no one at the other end of line. They have so many cases they can not handle the work load with so few workers.
I don't see where it allows you to edit your comment, but it should say August 2nd not September 2nd
I have yet to get a return call back from them nor will they answer any of my calls, I sat 1, 47mins on hold then got disconnected, next day over 3 hours then got disconnected, I guess beings I'm white and so privileged they don't wanna take my calls,
I also was denied for failure to complete phone interview after I called and left Camilla last name could not understand because VM was very distorted five messages with my name case number and phone number never received call back I have no money for my family for food because one person couldn't call me back and then sends letter saying I didnt comply? I am beyond upset and furious.
Hey I am having a lot of the same. Hard working White middle aged professional unexpectedly unemployed. Qualified for expedited benefits. Received a card with a good amount that i was qualified to have BUT somehow they linked the wrong social and date of birth to it. Not just a miskey... A complete different set if numbers. Learned from ebt cuat svc that belongs to another person with my same name...so now i have her social and dob. Good thing im not a criminal or they would have screwed that person. Anyway im too hungry to think of a way to scam anybody lol so now their records show i received all this. I have no food and a ebt card i cannot use. Caseworker calls to argue and be rude only. Refuses to fix it. Says I put the wrong info on my application. Really? And it just happens to be someone elses info with my same name? What are the odds? What i want to know from all u posters here.. What is ur race? This "error" is starting to look intentional and i would like to know if this happens to all races or more to white people? I believe there is discrimination and hatred behind their reasoning for simply refusing to fix this. Would live to hear from others about that.
Hi, my son is going through hard times as well, and YES he's white. This started happening after the new Secretary Shevaun Harris was installed by Governor DeSantis, and I sent him an e mail letting him know what happened to my son. Not a coincidence. The reason I did that is because my son has to live with me due to him having problems finding a full-time job, and now getting help with food stamps. White males are under major attack, and it's disgusting and sad. Hope this get better for you. :(
Today I was at my doctors appointment, and I had to bring my son with me because I don't have child care. The social worker from Naples, Fl called me. I had to take the call because she never answered her phone when I would call. I’m going through a lot, which is why I’m on food stamps, and she really let me have it. I don’t want to get into everything she said, or how she made fun of me. Most people who’ve been through this process already know how it is. It’s just this time I was with my kid, at a doctors appointment, and I just started crying. Some people like to kick people when they’re down, and that’s just what she decided to do to me. When you’re as poor as me, you get to see how nasty people really are. It sucks it had to happen in front of my kid, and I know he won’t forget it.
Well well well, Florida does it again. Its completely ridiculous trying to contact the office. I asked a women for her name because she was rude to me the whole time, in return she hung up on me. (After I waited 45 min to be connected) I have to fax my pay stubs which I did. They were faxed 3 times, to the correct fax number of [protected], none of these times were they accounted for. I asked where my information went since it shows it went through, to my surprise her response was " I don't know"! They should be held accountable for this. Beyond rude and extremely not helpful. I have never felt so small and disrespected before. I've been working since 15 years old, if I need help I need help. I should not have to be degraded or belittled in order to get a little help. I'm saddened by this. Makes me wonder how they treat the elderly?
Unfortunately, you live in Florida, your best bet may be to move to another state.
EXACTLY!Sadly this people live in Floriduh where you starve and only hope to pay your bills is the work your life away.Seriously I would have warned all this people thinking that all will get better moving to Florida, this state is horrible.Homelessness is about the same level as California’s homeless issues.This state is a sh.thole.
Jacksonville food stamp program only help friend Arlington expat say we don't do nothing here and his salary it's for what? U make appreciation alway deny why no reason just for no work plzzzzzzzz . Do ur job. Please HELPpppppppp. Some one, Chanel, lawyer make a multiple sue maybe in that way do what they employee have to do?
Dcf caseworkers are rude an disrespectful. I submitted my imformation om time and i was never told they did not receive the fax. I resubmitted everything i submitted the first time including my fax report showing it was sent. I still habe to wait 30 days for a mishap on dcf part because they dont know where the fax went even though the fax report said sent. I asked and put in writimg for a supervisor to contact me to discuss the matter and to aee if this could be prevented. I sat next to a friend and contacted the call center
My friend asked me to fax her paperwork because it was her first time. When i fpumd out by letter my case was denied i had to resend hers as well. We call the call center, as we sat next to each other the call rep tells her there was a delay and i was told it was mever received. The reps seem so unhappy with their job. They are not motivated to help. They always have attitudes. Im going straight to Tallahassee with my complaint and up the chain of commands. Somethings needs to be done.
My case has been "pending"' for weeks and my kids are losing weight. DCF is disgusting. I'm a well educated, working, single mom. This economy means low paying jobs and no healthcare for the highly educated. I haven't received a dime in child support in years and we are HUNGRY! The only food bank in my area gives out a tiny bit of food once a year. It didn't even get my kids through 2 days. I guarantee if my kids get sick from not eating I will be treated like a child abuser, not DCF. What a mess!
Well fellow Floridians I would love to say there has been a dramatic improvement in DCF's level of efficiency. But alas I cannot tell a lie. My caseworker does not answer his phone nor return calls and I am "this" short of calling him a big fat liar... on his voicemail. I spoke with my previous caseworker who was EXCELLENT... she answered calls, and returned them and actually processed my application in a timely manner... but when I was moved to this new guy Ray Lewis... everything wen downhill. Should my application for additional benefits show as processing for 7 days? I agree about complaining. It does nothing and may cause you to lose or not get your benefits. DCF workers are human and can be spiteful too. Hopefully my next call to Mr. Lewis will be answered or maybe he will take the time to pick up the phone and call me back. As far as being embarrassed that I need the help. I'm more embarrassed to be a Floridian and responsible for electing the dinghleberry who hired the person(s) who run this agency. Good luck to all the unemployed and underemployed disavantaged constituents. There is no light at the end of the tunnell. And no hope in sight.
It's the government, what do you expect?
I cannot tell you how much I agree!I emailed a complaint today to the secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families (david_wilkins@dcf.state.fl.us). While I think the accessflorida website could be a very useful tool, it will not work, if people don't do their job efficiently. My reapplication was completely ignored and faxes I sent were never received. When I told them I have the fax report the call center said it didn't matter if I can prove it - the DCF doesn't have it. Period. The same happened with a letter send via USPS. They never received it. Now, three months later, they finally have all the information as "processed" in their system and -- tata -- nothing. Another week has passed and nothing! In the meantime I call the call center every day and have them mail the DCF and the supervisor to please process my case. My children are not used to canned fruit, as we have never been in a situation like this. I water down their milk to stretch it and there will be no birthday cake. It is emotionally rough and I cry at the top of a hat. My husband works and is underpaid while his employer just bought his second $ 270 000 Porsche - at least he supports the automobile industry! I went to a workforce center to have my resume checked and was told to better omit that I have an MBA. Depressing! Then there is also the energy assistance LIHEAP I tried to apply for for Okaloosa County. I researched four phone numbers - none of them work. Bourbour: I read your blog on wordpress and so agree. My husband paid into the system 30 years and now we are just left behind. I am not ashamed to ask for assistance any more! Good Luck everyone in the same bloody situation!
Here some quick TIPS for other Food Stamp applicants:
CALL:
To call, keep dialing the number 1.866.762.2237. Keep trying - I usually get through within the first hour. Once the first greeting in Spanish and kreyole (?) is done, wait for the next message and hit 2, next menu hit 2, next menu hit 1 and wait till they talk about the ebt card. You will then be transferred to the call center. Usually it is busy and asks you to call later - keep trying! Remember though, they are just a call center and can only email the DCF - usually bugging them does not help at all.
FAX:
If you ever fax any information, PUT THE CASE NUMBER on every single thing. Otherwise your information will be thrown in the trash and you might not even bother sending it.
MAIL VIA POSTAL SERVICE:
Even if you use certified mail, they still might say their department doesn't get it.
ONLINE:
Get an online account as soon as possible and upload your information there. What ever you submit, check if it was received online.
EMAIL:
If you are ever lucky enough to get an email address from your case worker, hold on to it! Send all the information there, as well.
RE-CERTIFICATION: if your pay period ended it does not mean you got denied. Never assume you get denied because you didn't hear back from them. If you got denied you will be notified and given a reason.
PAY STUBS:
Need to be consecutive. If you leave one out and they can see the year to date, don't assume they can calculate the one paycheck in between. They cannot. Put the CASE NUMBER on it! Social Security number is not enough.
It is wonderful to hear another professional has been through the same wringer. First of all it is an EMBARRASSMENT to have to apply for the paltry amount assigned to begin with. Then you have to beg as they decline family members. How do these people that have been in the system for YEARS work it? I am an administrator who RAN a school! I am out of work and a dislocated worker not to any fault of my own. I have kept the school in federal and state compliance to ensure yearly scholarship funding, but for some reason have failed to submit required information to DCF. That is really a facetious statement, as I NEVER know what is required until they send me my DETERMINATION LETTER that tells me my benefits will be ending soon. I've never seen anything run like this. We pay into the system for years for others to abuse it, and now honest, professional individuals need it, and can't get it. Says a lot for our state administration.
you cant help but have your pride especially when the food banks and soup kitchens give you BAD FOOD and good luck on trying to speak with a supervisor because they lie to you and say that their mute button only mutes their voice, and if you request a higher person or number of authority you get hung up on. and i have 4 small children that need to be fed and was also promised expidited stamps and lost them for august and i have a 2 week old son so if anyone c help me out im in polk county florida
I have a torn ligament in my foot .another rupture in my lower lumbar, I applied for food stamp, got a letter to call within 15 days, called 30 time to extension ''1805 '' no response what so ever left 5 messages No response, what a fraud and discrimination there is against Male with foreign name, also a USA BORN CITIZEN .