The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) confirmed that the SUNCAP program —which allowed beneficiaries of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to access food assistance without additional paperwork— came to an end on September 30, 2026, by instruction of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Since that date, the Social Security Administration (SSA) no longer determines eligibility for food assistance for households with SSI in Florida. Those who relied on SUNCAP must now manage their application directly with the DCF through the regular SNAP program.
The change does not mean that all beneficiaries will lose their food assistance, but it does imply that no one can assume their benefits will continue automatically.
Transition period: from October 2026 to March 2027
The DCF established a six-month transition period during which it will notify all current SUNCAP beneficiaries on how to continue applying for assistance if they meet the requirements.
This notification may arrive by postal mail or through the beneficiary's account on the MyACCESS portal, so it's advisable to check both channels.
Receiving SSI does not automatically guarantee receiving SNAP under the new scheme.
Each household must submit an application to the DCF and go through the regular eligibility determination process, which may include an interview—usually conducted over the phone—and the submission of documents such as identification and proof of income.
The DCF typically has 30 days to process a SNAP application.
How to apply for SNAP after the end of SUNCAP
The DCF indicates that the fastest way is through the online portal MyACCESS, where you can start the application without needing to create an account if you are only applying for SNAP. The process takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes.
Those who prefer in-person assistance can visit a DCF Family Resource Center or a community partner in their area.
There is also the option to send a printed application by mail to: Office of Economic Self Sufficiency Mail Center, P.O. Box 1770, Ocala, FL 34478-1770; or by fax to 1-866-886-4342.
For telephone assistance, the Customer Contact Center number for DCF is 850-300-4323.
Labor exemptions: they are not automatic
Those who receive SSI or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may qualify for exemptions from the current SNAP work requirements in Florida, but they must inform the DCF and provide the necessary documentation.
The exemption does not automatically apply simply by receiving SSI.
A change that affects hundreds of thousands of people
Florida had 537,011 SSI beneficiaries last September, of which 45.5% were aged 65 or older and 70.2% were blind or disabled.
Many of these households—senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and highly qualified immigrants, including Cubans—depended precisely on SUNCAP due to the simplicity of its access.
The end of the program coincides with a period of significant transformations in SNAP. As of October 1, 2026, the new maximum amounts for fiscal year 2027 apply: $306 for a one-person household, $562 for two, $808 for three, and $1,023 for four. These are maximum benefits; the actual amount depends on income, household size, and applicable deductions.
Florida has already recorded a decrease of approximately 647,822 participants in SNAP —equivalent to 22%— between July 2025 and July 2026, in a national context marked by the changes introduced by the federal law passed in July 2025, which expanded work requirements and reduced federal participation in state administrative costs.
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