Dept of Child & Families, Access Florida Customer Service Issues

I have been trying to reach out all day with no success. My benefits are supposed to be valid until January 31, [redacted]. I had phone interviews in September and October, but I have not received my benefits for this month due to an issue with the phone interview, which I was told is not being conducted. Each time I'm promised to be connected to a higher-up, the call gets disconnected, and I have to repeat the process of calling back. It's frustrating to not get the help I need.

I've been calling repeatedly and getting stuck on hold for almost an hour only to be told that my case hasn't been updated. Each time I am transferred to the right department, the call gets disconnected. I am in a dire situation without food or money, having received only 25 stamps for October as an SSI recipient. Thanksgiving is around the corner, and I fear not having enough to eat. Despite submitting my application before the 15th, my online account shows "pended," with no updates or changes. I urgently need my food stamps, but I can't seem to get assistance to resolve this issue. My name is M. Fravel, born on December 28, [redacted], residing at [redacted] Tevalo Dr, Valrico, FL [redacted]. Please, I implore you to help me as soon as possible. I am ill, unable to work, and facing a holiday season with no means to buy food.

I recently recertified and was instructed to send in a letter confirming assistance from an agent. The case worker provided me with an incorrect fax number that does not function, causing delays in my application. After obtaining a new fax number, 1-[redacted], I have sent the required document. I urgently need my food stamps to be expedited, as the previous fax number, 1-[redacted], was invalid. I have called multiple times, but only reached a lady who got disconnected. I have provided all necessary information and now require immediate assistance with my food stamps. The misinformation from the worker has led to this delay. I am currently on hold, waiting for assistance and hoping to resolve this matter promptly.

For the past two months, I have been contacting the agency and submitting new applications to update my information and request benefits. Despite my efforts, my son, who returned to live with me in early October, is still being included in his grandmother's food stamps. I have tried numerous times to have him added to my benefits, but I was informed that she needs to remove him first, which she refuses to do. The amount I receive is insufficient to cover his needs, including food and formula. I have been unable to find a resolution to this issue, as the process seems stalled. I did not remove him from my benefits; it was done automatically when he was added to hers. I am seeking assistance in resolving this matter promptly.

I have been trying to renew my food stamps since September 26, but I have faced numerous issues. Despite contacting the DCF office repeatedly and even managing to reset my access account, I keep getting locked out. Being homeless and living in a shed without basic amenities like water and electricity has made it extremely challenging. I feel helpless and frustrated as the days pass without any resolution. My repeated attempts to seek help have been in vain, and the situation seems to only get worse. It is disheartening to go through the holiday season without access to food assistance, especially when the system indicates no interviews are needed. The struggle continues, and I desperately need assistance. Thank you.

I would appreciate it if a representative could call me. I am hoping to arrange for food for Christmas. I have been trying different numbers, but I haven't been able to reach anyone for assistance. It's frustrating to not get any help or information. I was told that interviews were not necessary, so I'm confused about why I can't get any help easily. I even applied for emergency food stamps around Thanksgiving, but it's been much longer than the 7 days they mentioned. The access site claims I missed an appointment, but I never had one scheduled, especially with the state of emergency we are under. If interviews are not needed, why is the access center making it so difficult? I feel like I might have to escalate this by contacting the abuse line if I can't get the help I need soon.

Hello, my name is Latasha Adams. I have not received my food stamps in two months despite submitting all my required paperwork. I have spoken to several people over the past week, and they have informed me that my case is closed. However, I still have not received the benefits. As it is now the holiday season, not having the assistance I need is challenging. I feel like my situation is being overlooked, and it is disheartening. Please assist me as soon as possible as I am struggling to afford food. Thank you.

My food benefits needed renewal, but I didn't get the re-enrollment papers until October 11th, [redacted], due to Hurricane Ian. The forms were supposed to be completed by October 3rd, including a phone interview. Lacking a vehicle and with my cell phone damaged, I'm unable to visit offices or make the necessary call for re-enrollment. I'm seeking assistance and would deeply appreciate any help you can provide. Thank you, Kimberly Sliger.

I am having trouble reporting a lost card through the phone system. Despite entering my date of birth correctly, the system keeps asking for the last four digits of my social security number, which I have already inputted. After calling twice and repeatedly entering the information as requested, I am prompted to speak with an agent, but it is a Saturday and there is no one available. I managed to navigate the website directly after some difficulty, but there seems to be an issue with the phone system's recognition of the provided details.

I applied for food stamps in December and received expedited service for December and January. I had to submit employment verification by January 19th. Although I uploaded the form late due to my employer's delay, it was still on file when my case unexpectedly closed. Upon reapplying, they mistakenly processed it under my minor son's name and requested employment verification and child support proof, even though I had already submitted these documents. I called on Friday to address the issue and was transferred between representatives who acknowledged my uploaded documents but couldn't resolve my case. Unfortunately, nobody was available to assist further, and the call was disconnected after an hour and a half wait. I am seeking clarification on why my food stamps are still pending despite submitting all required documents and why the case is now in my son's name instead of mine.

I, Shawanna King, renewed my benefits on February 6, [redacted]. I also submitted my income verification and completed a phone interview. It's now past March 6, [redacted], and I have not received any updates or food assistance. Despite contacting customer service multiple times and being assured everything is in order, my benefits have not been approved. I have tried to reach out to resolve this but have been unsuccessful. I would like to escalate this matter to a department supervisor. If necessary, I will seek further assistance, possibly involving Channel 9 news. The delay in resolving my benefits is concerning, and I would appreciate a prompt resolution.

Hello, I am a teenager seeking guidance to overcome challenges at home. My family, consisting of my mother and three siblings, has been struggling since a storm damaged our roof a few years ago. Despite my mother having the funds to repair it, the contractor disappeared with the money, leaving us in a dire situation with no documents to prove the transaction, as they were lost in a car accident. The contractor callously suggested condemning our home. Currently, we are living in deteriorating conditions with only one habitable room, as the rest are unusable due to the damaged roof. We have faced ridicule for our living situation, and the mold in our house is becoming a serious health hazard. We have tried shelters, but it was not a sustainable solution. We desperately need assistance to repair our roof and find a safe place to live. Any support in connecting us with a program that could help us would be greatly appreciated.

Hello, my name is Lemall Pullins. I was informed that I have received a letter from your organization regarding employment opportunities. I am actively seeking work, and I would appreciate any guidance on websites where I can showcase my job search efforts. Kindly email me with any relevant information. Securing employment is crucial for me as it directly impacts my ability to sustain myself and avoid having my food assistance discontinued. As a homeless individual, finding work is my top priority as it ensures I have access to basic necessities like food. Your assistance in providing work website links would be greatly valued. Thank you in advance.

I contacted customer service recently about my delayed benefits that were supposed to be available by the 15th, but are still not on my card. I spoke to two different representatives who both confirmed the benefits should be there by now, but they are not. Additionally, I have a pending partial month payment from February that I have yet to receive. Despite assurances that the money would be on my card after midnight, it has not come through. I am in urgent need of assistance as I am facing financial hardships and struggling to afford food. My name is Alana S., and I can be reached at [redacted] for any inquiries. I have provided all the necessary documents and details to support my case, including my limited income and expenses. I am finding it challenging to make ends meet, especially after my vehicle was impounded, leaving me with additional transportation costs. I sincerely appreciate any help you can provide. Thank you.

I have been waiting on hold with the Department of Children and Families for 2 hours and 17 minutes, and counting. A representative answered my call at 1 hour and 44 minutes. I explained my application from yesterday and my need for more SNAP benefits in detail. She said she would transfer me to someone who could assist further. Now, I have been on hold on my phone for 2 hours and 21 minutes and still counting. As a senior citizen in need of help, this situation is distressing. I even had to use my neighbor's phone to call in. I feel like she has not considered my vulnerability, causing my anxiety to increase. I hope she doesn't treat her own family this way. It's disheartening to be treated like this when seeking help.

I spoke with a representative who reviewed a document I uploaded but mentioned that it wasn't clear enough. She then transferred me to another person to assist with expediting my food stamps. After waiting on the phone for two and a half hours, I decided to hang up at 6:00 as I understood that was closing time. I have been struggling since February to resolve this matter as a disabled person on a fixed income without access to food or transportation. I have proof of the time spent on the call and when I ended it. It's distressing to be left waiting on the phone for help that never arrives after being promised assistance. Your support in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

I completed my Food Stamps recertification in February. Last week, a representative informed me to update my MyAccess account by the 24th. I have been trying to reach out daily, but I keep encountering a message stating that all representatives are busy and to call back later. I have followed the instructions repeatedly without success.

I have a 16-year-old granddaughter with challenging family circumstances. Her mother, living in a different state, faced legal intervention due to her alcoholism and general neglect. Following this, she now lives with her father in another state, where she feels restricted and unsupported. She is unable to participate in normal teenage activities such as sports, driving lessons, or getting a job. She experiences unhappiness, anxiety, and verbal abuse at home. I, as her grandparent, often have to financially support her as her father neglects her needs. She is desperate to live with us, her grandparents, but her parents claim we are too old to care for her. We are determined to provide her with a loving and stable environment, and we are seeking advice on how we can legally bring her to live with us.

I recently had to submit a new application for food stamps as I missed the recertification deadline. Even though I qualify for expedited assistance, I was informed they only offer it once. I've been attempting to contact someone for a few days but had no luck except for one instance. The representative I spoke to was unhelpful and rushed. She mentioned I needed to verify my identity, which I did, but I still see no changes on my Access FL account. I tried the call-back feature but ended up being put on hold for another two hours. This process just kept looping me back to the beginning of the call. I hope for a better outcome with a morning call, or else it might add to my existing anxiety levels since we rely on this assistance for food.

I am having trouble accessing my account and need assistance unlocking it. Despite receiving an email confirming approval for another year of Medicaid, I am receiving contradictory messages notifying me of the end of my coverage. Additionally, I am unable to renew my benefits online as the "renew your benefits" button is missing from my account page. I have had multiple individuals attempt to log in and they are encountering the same issue. If possible, could someone reach out to me for further assistance? Thank you for your help in advance.