FLORIDA — The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP), which provides food assistance for individuals and families affected by Hurricane Ian, has been approved for Florida, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).

D-SNAP is in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is implemented by DCF. It's for people who are not receiving food assistance benefits through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), DCF said.

DCF says that D-SNAP will be implemented in phases and by county starting Monday, and pre-registration is required by all applicants, which is open for 7 days (Monday at 1 a.m. through Sunday at 11 p.m.) for the counties listed within each phase.

The first phase will be through a phone option, and in the coming weeks, DCF will host in-person D-SNAP events for those who cannot take part by phone, DCF said.

Eligible recipients who take part in the D-SNAP phone event will receive an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card by mail that can be used to purchase food at authorized USDA food retailers, according to DCF.

Find information including who is eligible and how to apply for D-SNAP here.