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SNAP Benefits:
Following initial approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), SNAP recipients’ maximum monthly allotment (based on household size) will be increased for the month of May. Once approved, current SNAP recipients will receive this additional benefit amount automatically.
At Governor DeSantis’ direction and DCF Secretary Chad Poppell’s leadership the Economic Self-Sufficiency (ESS) program made necessary adjustments to the workforce, including repurposing over 1,300 current employees to manage the increased call volume and process the surge of new applications.
Additionally, under Governor DeSantis’ direction, DCF instituted a series of waivers and policy initiatives, to provide additional assistance to Florida families, including:
- Temporarily increased SNAP recipients’ benefit amount in March and April to the maximum monthly allotment based on household size. The Governor has directed DCF to request a waiver to extend this increase for May. Customers who are already receiving the maximum allotment will not receive an increase.
- Implementing a six-month recertification extension for clients scheduled to recertify for benefits in April and May.
- Expanded the capacity to allow Floridians to file for benefits telephonically with 800-1000 individuals taking advantage of this opportunity daily.
- Effectively partnered with the Department of Economic Opportunity to temporarily apply good cause statewide for TANF & SNAP recipients subject to participate in mandatory work requirements for March, April and now May as a condition to receive benefits.
- Participating in the USDA’s pilot program to allow SNAP recipients to purchase groceries online using their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.
- Developing a plan to implement Pandemic EBT – a supplemental benefit for households with children who receive free and reduced lunch – to serve more than three million children. The plan will be shared with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for joint submission to USDA for federal approval.
SAT Testing:
The College Board provided important information about upcoming SAT testing.
Due to health concerns, they have recently made the decision not to administer the SAT as planned on June 6, 2020. The College Board shared their plans to ensure that students will have opportunities to take the SAT to make up for the lost testing this spring.
1. If it’s safe from a public health standpoint, they will provide weekend SAT administrations every month through the end of the calendar year, beginning in August. This includes a new administration in September and the previously scheduled tests on August 29, October 3, November 7, and December 5.
2. Students will be able to register for these administrations beginning in May. The board will communicate directly with students when the exact date is available. Eligible students will be able to take the exam with a fee waiver.
3. For each administration, the board is preparing to significantly expand the capacity for students to take the SAT as soon as schools reopen.
4. In the unlikely event that schools do not reopen this fall, the College Board will provide a digital SAT for home use, much like they are delivering digital exams for 3 million AP students this spring. As with at-home Advanced Placement Exams, they would ensure that at-home SAT testing is simple; secure and fair; accessible to all; and valid for use in college admissions.
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