Public assistance and government benefits in Sarasota County
Residents of Sarasota Florida that meet low income guidelines, including people that live in poverty, may be able to get help from the Department of Children and Families, Sarasota location or the MyACCESS website. A number of government benefits, ranging from SNAP food stamps to cash assistance and more are offered. Case workers from the local DCF office will help people get government benefits in Sarasota County, as noted below. Some of these public assistance are funded by the state of Florida and others by the federal government, such as TANF. The benefits are also short term in nature and combined with other support. However they are made available to families in Sarasota County.
Government food benefits in Sarasota County
The SNAP food assistance program (food stamps) can help qualified, low income individuals as well as families purchase groceries. The goal is to focus on nutritional foods. The items provided are intended to help lower income families get the food they need to maintain and promote good health. What will happen is the beneficiary will be issued a type of debit card (EBT) that they can use to buy their groceries at local stores. Food Stamps is a federal government funded program administered locally in Sarasota County Florida. It will help any in need, whether a senior, disabled person or low-income single parent household. Those households that are approved will be able to purchase a designated amount of groceries each money by using that EBT card. The amount of aid paid out depends on the households size and their income levels. If you are going hungry and are in a crisis, then the Sarasota DCF can provide expedited food stamps . When needed, assistance can be issued within seven days for people who are in an emergency and these applications are also available online at MyACCESS - MyFloridaFamilies. The goal of expedited SNAP is to ensure the household does not go hungry while the longer term application is processed. However families should really apply for help before they are faced with a crisis situation.
Cash assistance programs from DCF in Sarasota County
Financial assistance in the form of free money to pay bills may be provided in Sarasota County by TANF, or the Temporary Cash Assistance program . The goal is to provide direct financial help to low-income families with kids. There are many restrictions and qualifications that need to be met in order to qualify for this public assistance program. Cash may be issued to families with dependent children, including single parents. The county can help clients in the payment of rent, utility bills, basic needs and other household expenses. In addition, TANF can provide financial assistance to pregnant women in their third trimester. Any type of support provided by the government is also time limited, so it is not ongoing. Clients will also need to be actively searching for employment, in job training and/or working. Several other cash type programs from the Department of Children and Families are offered as well. All of these are also time-limited, meaning the public assistance is not never ending. They include adult payments which may be financial assistance for elderly and/or disabled individuals. Examples can include SSDI and others. Child care vouchers and free subsidized care may be provided for parents that are working or in job training. Sarasota county may have information on low income, government rent relief in Sarasota County and public housing as well. This can also include section 8 vouchers for paying rent.
Insurance programs from DCF
The main public health care program for the low income, uninsured and poor is Medicaid . This health care program is a form of insurance - it can provide medical bill assistance to individuals and families to cover or assist in the cost of health care services that is necessary. Medicaid is state of Florida insurance for individuals meeting income and asset standards Sarasota DCF also helps seniors and the disabled get Medicare. It is another form of insurance though for a different group of individuals. As Medicare is for senior citizens over the age of 60 to 65 in Sarasota County as well as the disabled (regardless of the age). It will also helps pay for medical costs.
Phone number to apply for public assistance in Sarasota
The Department of Children and Families, One Stop Center is located at 1864 17th Street, Sarasota, Florida 34234. Call (941) 316-6000. The main link is here. https://www.myflfamilies.com/sarasota-one-stop-service-center . Most of the public assistance is limited and will often come with a waiting list, especially for housing programs. Social workers can advice residents on the programs and resources that may be available to them.