ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is opening its second phase of the D-SNAP program on Monday, which covers many local counties.

What You Need To Know

  • Phase 2 of D-SNAP allows residents in Flagler, Highlands, Manatee, Orange, Pinellas, and St. Johns counties to take part

  • Next week residents in Hillsborough, Lake, Osceola, Putnam, Seminole, and Volusia counties will be added

  • People affected by Hurricane Ian must pre-register on the DCF website to be eligible

D-SNAP is the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The program provides food assistance for people impacted by Hurricane Ian, who are not receiving food assistance benefits through SNAP.

Orlo Vista was one of the areas that saw the most damage from Hurricane Ian. Just a week ago, Orange County leaders said more than 1,500 properties were assessed by the property appraiser. About 1,100 sustained damage, totaling an estimated $188 million.

As residents continue to pick up the pieces and get back on their feet, they can apply for DCF's D-Snap program. This is phase 2. Phase 1 covered Southwest Florida and Polk County.

On Monday, phase 2 allows residents in Flagler, Highlands, Manatee, Orange, Pinellas, and St. Johns counties to take part in the program.

DCF officials said although assistance is based on financial eligibility, the agency is considering several other factors for this special circumstance.

"With regular SNAP, there are limitations on the income based on household size," said Shevaun Harris, the secretary of the Department of Children and Families. "Those are still in place, however, the extent of the losses and damage that someone experienced is offset by your income. So it helps to offset your income."

Next week residents in Hillsborough, Lake, Osceola, Putnam, Seminole, and Volusia counties will be able to take part in D-SNAP.

People affected by Hurricane Ian must preregister on the DCF website. Then they must complete a phone interview. For folks who cannot do a phone interview, DCF stated it will host an in-person D-SNAP event, but those details have not been announced yet.

Once approved, households will get food assistance in the form of an EBT card, which can be used like a debit card.

So far, the D-SNAP program has helped more than 100,000 people, and that number is expected to increase as more phases take effect.