Dept of Child & Families, Access Florida Customer Service Issues

I submitted my reapplication a few days ago and am eager to proceed with the interview. I've been patiently waiting on the phone for someone to assist me, as I haven't been able to get through after holding for three consecutive days - Friday, yesterday, and today. My main priority is completing the interview promptly since my family of four is currently struggling without any income. We have been limited to just bread and inexpensive baby food, unable to afford other essentials like milk. The urgency of this matter lies in providing meals for my two babies every day. I kindly request a callback to finalize my interview and reinstate my benefits. I certified again on Friday. Please, I implore you to assist me as soon as possible. My contact number is [redacted]. We've calculated that my spouse and I have spent a total of over 16 hours on hold from Friday until today, Tuesday. Your prompt response is greatly appreciated.

I am struggling to reach a person to follow up on my application status. After the phone interview, there have been no updates, and the website still mentions technical issues. When I call, I reach Jennifer Rodriguez's voicemail, which is consistently full. I left a message three weeks ago but now get disconnected due to the full voicemail. I am unable to speak to anyone or find a different contact for assistance. Despite having another phone interview with someone else a week ago, there have been no updates on the website or any communication since.

Hello, I am Christopher Berry. I have been struggling to reach a live person for assistance. I was approved for EBT, but need to submit a photo of my driver's license for my unemployment application by March 11th. Unfortunately, due to a medical emergency in Tallassee, I lost all my belongings, including my license. Being homeless and a diabetic, my food stamps are crucial for my well-being. Unable to obtain a new license by the deadline, I fear losing my benefits. I kindly request an extension to provide the required photo. You can contact me at [redacted] or email me at [redacted] Your help is greatly appreciated as these benefits are vital to my health. I have been striving for EBT approval since November and losing them would be devastating. Thank you for your understanding and support. Sincerely, Christopher Berry.

I reached out to the Department of Children and Families because I obtained a restraining order against my son's father in February due to physical abuse. Following the restraining order against Juan, his mother has been vindictive by involving DCF. She continuously makes false claims about me neglecting my son. Daily, a new DCF worker visits my home to see Andres. I've had to cancel all my plans this week to accommodate these unexpected visits. Juan's mother is also harassing me via text messages, threatening to have my child taken away and even trying to have me imprisoned for abuse and neglect. This unwarranted harassment started after I obtained the restraining order.

I have been trying to reach out for assistance every weekday. I have been continuously calling for the past 9 days and have been placed on hold for over 4 hours each time. Despite my efforts, I have not been able to speak with a human representative. Currently, I am on hold again for more than 4 hours using both of my phones since 7 AM. My renewal case is showing as "pended" due to a technical question, and I have not received any attempts to contact me. I have uploaded letters requesting contact, but to no avail. My food stamps are at risk of being canceled, and I am in urgent need of help. I am eligible for assistance and believe I should be receiving more benefits. I renewed my case on March 14th, but there has been no communication via calls, emails, or messages on my online portal. I have also tried contacting dcf without success. Please assist me before the end of the month as I am struggling to navigate through this process.

I recently reapplied for my EBT benefits and was instructed to call a specific number on April 1st between 8am and 9am central time. Despite my attempts, the phone call went straight to voicemail, and the voicemail box was full. After numerous calls, I was able to leave a message with my case number, but no one has returned my call in the past 5 days. I have been consistently trying to resolve this issue, but the lack of response has now led to a denial of benefits due to missing an appointment. I even visited the local Children and Families office, but they directed me back to phone assistance. Any advice on how to address this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I renewed my kids' EBT benefits back in March. I was asked to provide proof of child support changes due to Covid. I submitted the required information online. The website shows that paperwork is being processed, but it has been over a month and a half with no updates. I tried calling and even emailed my worker two weeks ago with no response. Every time I call, I wait for hours and end up having to call back. They once called me back at 5 pm and put me on hold until the office likely closed for the day.

I have been struggling to receive my benefits despite completing all the necessary requirements. When I tried calling the designated phone number, I could never get through to anyone. Eventually, I managed to speak to someone and submitted my renewal before the deadline of May 8th. However, later it was suddenly requested that I provide proof of child support income, which was not needed before. This single document request resulted in me not receiving my benefits, leaving me without food. The situation has been frustrating as I feel unfairly treated and discriminated against. I am willing to provide the required proof but being denied essential support over this feels unjust. The communication has been poor, with long wait times on the phone with no resolution. I hope this issue is resolved promptly. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

My name is Monica Janer. I am having issues with the website. I have had to submit three applications because it keeps crashing. We took the papers to the children's department, but they never uploaded our documents. It has been nearly two months since we arrived in the country, and we have not been able to receive assistance. The calls are over three hours long, and in the end, the problem is not resolved. The only solution given is to submit another application, which puts us back in the same cycle. Please, what can we do? If you prefer, you can call me at [redacted], but it might be better to contact my best friend who helps me with the procedures and understands more about these new things for me. Her number is [redacted], and her name is Marielkis Barreras. Thank you, and I apologize for the inconvenience.

My daughter, Destiny R. (SSI recipient), has a brain implant for seizures and we moved from GA to FL for medical care at Mayo Clinic. She recently got approved for EBT but her benefits were suddenly stopped without notice. After hours of trying to get help, someone acknowledged their error and promised a response in 48 hours, but we still haven't heard back. We've fulfilled all requirements and more. It's distressing how benefits can be halted due to human error, impacting those in need. I am frustrated and will escalate this issue to the media or higher authorities to shed light on this lack of professionalism towards those who rely on assistance like my daughter.

I completed my renewal a month ago and was instructed to submit income verification documents by May 9th. Despite doing so, I am still waiting for my food stamps. I recently had an early emergency c-section and am struggling with my health. Without the food stamps, I have no means to buy food for myself. It's been nearly two weeks since my documents were submitted and processed. I have attempted to contact a representative multiple times, but have been unable to reach anyone despite being on hold for hours. As a breastfeeding mother, it's crucial for me to have access to food. I am currently not employed and urgently require the food stamps to support myself.

Conflict in dependency! Before I invest any more time, it is crucial that the issue of dependency is treated with the seriousness it deserves. The objective here is to promote and facilitate effective communication to efficiently resolve the situation by finding a fair solution. It is my firm belief that once the conflict is eradicated, decisions made will yield the desired outcomes without causing any apprehensions from any involved parties. Once this is accomplished, further collaboration might be necessary. I am prepared to immediately embark on the agreed plan that the two parties were able to outline. The readiness and collaboration between the individuals will triumph where numerous individuals, spanning across two years with continuous involvement in different counties, including various legal entities like attorneys, judges, guardians, case workers, and multiple foster homes, all acting in the best interest of the child, could not succeed.

I have been attempting to contact the customer care center for over two weeks with no success. Every time I call, the phone line is constantly busy and either hangs up on me or instructs me to call back later. I have a phone interview pending, but the interviewer has not contacted me, and I can't seem to reach anyone for assistance. The system's requirement for certain procedures that are practically impossible to complete due to unavailability is baffling. The frustration I am experiencing is leading me to consider seeking help from a congressman, senator, or even the news, as the impact on my family is unjust. If needed, you can reach me at [redacted]. Despite submitting all requested information and sending a month's worth of pay stubs via fax from an office due to overcrowding at the agency, the system's inefficiency is evident. While I appreciate the assistance provided, the system must be more effectively managed to support those in need. Thank you. - Sherri L. H.

I have applied for food stamps since [redacted] and have been denied multiple times. I haven't been able to work since 20/20 due to various health issues, including open heart surgery, bacterial meningitis, seizures, blood clots, and diabetes for 34 years. I also need ankle surgery but can't get it because of my blood sugar levels. Despite my health challenges, I haven't received any disability or unemployment benefits and continue to be denied for Medicaid, Medicare, and food stamps. I am unsure why this is happening and would appreciate any assistance you can provide. Thank you in advance.

I am a Medicaid Humana member and have not renewed my food stamp benefits for years due to a frightening experience of being involved in human trafficking. My daughter is still missing, while I am struggling to navigate the application process for renewal. I need to update my information and have a new card sent to my PO Box at [redacted] SW Mooring Drive. I also recently had a son in April but lacked prenatal care due to distrust in healthcare providers involved in illegal activities. Unfortunately, my daughter's father interfered with important documents. I urgently need assistance to retrieve my children and am having difficulty reporting the situation to the authorities. Kindly contact me via email at [redacted] or at +1 [redacted]. If needed, you can also reach me at +1 [redacted]. Thank you. - Sarah K. Szuminski

I have spoken to several agents about renewing my food benefits and was promised multiple times that they would be available. However, it's been a frustrating experience as the promised dates have come and gone without my benefits being updated. Despite assurances, my balance remains at zero and I urgently need this situation resolved. I was expecting expedited back payments but it has now been days without any resolution. I also received a request for proof of income, but I have no income as I am currently not working. I urgently need a phone interview to address these issues as my daughter and I have been without benefits since last September.

I have reached out to numerous agents regarding the renewal of my benefits daily and have spent the entire day on hold for the past two weeks. Despite being reassured by at least 20 representatives that my benefits were approved and on their way, I am still facing delays and complications due to mistakes on your end. Each time I request to speak to a supervisor, I either get disconnected or put on hold until after business hours. This situation should not be so complicated as my case hasn't changed, and I have been able to renew my benefits online and receive expedited benefits within 48 hours in the past. I urgently need this issue resolved as my children and I are struggling without the necessary food and cash benefits we rely on. Please connect me with a knowledgeable supervisor who can address and rectify the errors in my case.

I recently welcomed my son back home, and as a single mother struggling to make ends meet, we are facing food shortages to the extent that some days I go without eating. I applied for food stamps and to transition my son onto Medicaid, the same coverage he had under my mother's case previously. I have the application confirmation number from the email I received. However, when attempting to log in or contact them by phone, the system indicates I still need to apply, and I'm unable to reach anyone for assistance. In the midst of this, his insurance has been terminated. My son requires daily medication, and I am unable to cover the expenses for appointments and prescriptions. It's bewildering to have his insurance revoked while being told I haven't completed the application. If I hadn't applied, he would remain under my mother's case with insurance. Urgent help and clarification are needed in this situation.

I was approved for Medicaid and food stamps before July for myself and my son. I received my son's insurance card but not mine or the food stamp card. Despite trying to speak to a representative after 10 phone calls, I was unsuccessful. I urgently need the food stamps and insurance that were promised to me quickly. I have various medical issues but cannot make any appointments as I never received my insurance card. It is frustrating dealing with a large government organization like DCF and not being able to get the assistance I was assured of a month ago.

Hello, I have Medicaid coverage through Access Florida due to my pregnancy. Despite my account no longer showing a share of cost, my OBGYN is having trouble verifying my insurance details. They encounter discrepancies with my maiden name, former address, and the Medicaid ID number. This mix-up is leading to a share of cost appearing. I urgently need this corrected since I am nearing my due date and have upcoming appointments that should be covered by insurance. I've contacted both the Department of Children and Families and Medicaid, but each refers me to the other for assistance. It's frustrating that one department can only locate my case using the case number, while the other cannot find me with my social security or ID number. I am at a loss on how to proceed and need this issue resolved promptly.