Hope Florida Should Do a Deeper Dive Into a Family’s Long-Term Well-Being After They Leave Critical Basic Needs Programs
Basic needs programs have an extraordinary impact on Floridians in need by preventing hunger, improving a family’s short- and long-term health outcomes, bettering a child’s success at school, keeping children out of poverty, and providing modest resources to cover necessities, such as food and housing.
In addition, robust basic needs programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), are also good business for local economies and the state as a whole. Every $1 in spending on SNAP benefits generates more than $1.50 in economic activity (called the multiplier effect), which supports not only individual households in crisis but also neighborhood stores and farmers markets where households spend their benefits. The multiplier effect is particularly helpful in recessions, when SNAP serves as an economic stabilizer.
When Florida officials talk about basic needs programs, they tout efforts that kick households off basic needs programs without rigorous evaluation data on cost-effectiveness to support their assertions and without regard for a household’s chance of long-term success. Seldom do officials mention the hardship that families in need experience when they lose assistance prematurely or the economic hit that local communities and the state take from the decline in use of benefits spent at local businesses.
For example, state officials promote Hope Florida as a cost-effective pathway to economic self-sufficiency for people participating in basic needs programs. As of February 2025, Hope Florida reports that it had referred 115,000 people to a cadre of 5,000 partners, nonprofits, and businesses as well as 1,200 faith-based organizations. Out of those referrals, the state notes that more than 30,000 Floridians have either stopped participating in basic needs programs or become eligible for less assistance, which it estimates has saved Florida over $108 million.
Seldom do officials mention the hardship that families in need experience when they lose assistance prematurely or the economic hit that local communities and the state take from the decline in use of benefits spent at local businesses.
Yet, although Hope Florida claims that it has the potential for saving the state $100 million annually by “get[ting] people off…government assistance,” few details are publicly disclosed that would allow a real assessment of the program’s cost efficiency and long-term impact, including the amount of state funds directly or indirectly channeled to Hope Florida. It is also unclear whether Hope Florida’s focus on referring SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) participants to local resources is duplicative of other programs, or if the program is, in reality, helping participants obtain the training and education they need for higher-paying jobs with a real path out of poverty.
DCF says that savings from Hope Florida are calculated by comparing the amount of benefits provided to a participant in the month before their benefits were reduced or terminated with their new benefit amount. However, nothing in DCF’s analysis directly links a participant’s involvement with Hope Florida to that change in benefits. Because many of those participants are already likely to be mandatory participants in DCF’s TANF and SNAP work programs, whose goals, like Hope Florida’s, are also to put families on the path to self-sufficiency, it is impossible to attribute the loss of or reduction in a participant’s benefits to Hope Florida without knowing more.
Further, DCF’s analysis does not account for attrition in participation in SNAP or TANF due to “churn,” in which a participant’s exit from assistance programs is short-lived. Churn may occur, among other reasons, because a participant’s new job is insufficient to make ends meet; because DCF made reductions or terminations of benefits in error, which is a significant problem in Florida’s SNAP program; or after a sanction is imposed, which is a loss of benefits that may occur if a participant’s new job is for less than 120 hours a month — not because their family is able to make ends meet.
Hope Florida says that it uses volunteers as well as financial and employment assistance from individual donors, the private sector, and non-profit organizations to assist people who reach out for help. However, the program also relies on state funds to operate. Although no public accounting is available for state funds funneled to Hope Florida for the current budget year, Florida spent over $1.25 million of state funds on Hope Florida in FY 2023-2024. In addition, Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and Attorney General recently settled a lawsuit against the Centene Corporation subject to a stipulation that Centene donate $10 million to Hope Florida, without informing the Florida Legislature.
Still, for FY 2025-26, state agencies and the governor’s office have asked the Legislature to increase state funding for Hope Florida even more — including an extra $535,385 to fund four full-time Hope Florida positions to establish an Office of Hope within the Executive Office of the Governor; an additional $932,784 to raise DCF’s average salary for Hope Navigators to as much as $66,704 a year; an added $119,123 to raise the salaries of Hope Navigators in the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) to an average of $48,000 a year; and an extra $1,142,828 for a Department of Education Hope Navigator project. Because the cost of Hope Florida is borne, in part, by the state, Floridians deserve a full accounting from the program on how it is funded and details about how the money is spent — information that is not provided on Hope Florida’s website or publicly available accounts it gives of its success.
Hope Florida's mission to refer people to local services for help with housing, medical care, food, or assistance with paying their utilities is important. However, many existing governmental and non-governmental programs already provide — or should be providing — referrals to local resources. Good stewardship begins with maximizing every dollar spent in those programs toward that goal. Yet, in many ways, Hope Florida appears to be duplicative of those other efforts, such as:
- Inform Florida: Inform Florida, which was called Florida Alliance of Information and Referral Services (FLAIRS) until 2023, serves as a free round-the-clock statewide referral source through 211 to link callers with local services to meet basic needs. Last year, almost 1 million people in Florida called 211 to get information about community resources and support, such as food and housing.
- Elder Helpline: The statewide Elder Helpline, supported by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs,[1] refers seniors needing assistance to services in their community.
- Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs): ADRCs provide seniors and people with disabilities information about and referrals to community resources, including long term care, throughout the state.
- The Florida Veterans Support Line: The Florida Veterans Support Line, which is affiliated with Florida’s 211 system, is funded by DCF to, among other things, refer veterans to community-based services across the state.
- DCF’s Community Partner Network: For over two decades, DCF’s has contracted with organizations in every county across the state to serve people applying for and participating in DCF-administered basic needs programs. Much like Hope Florida, the purpose of the network is to maximize shared resources in the community to increase access to needed services. DCF advertises the network prominently on its website and maintains an interactive search page that allows Floridians to locate community groups in their neighborhoods.
Hope Florida also says that it assists basic needs participants to identify long term goals and develop plans to achieve those goals. However, those services are already supposed to be offered in both SNAP and TANF.
Ensuring that other existing programs do their jobs might better harness the limited resources of both the state and non-governmental organizations. However, without more transparency from Hope Florida, it is impossible to gauge its efficiency and long-term impact on Florida families and the state’s budget. To evaluate Hope Florida’s efforts to reduce basic needs caseloads, Floridians deserve to be provided with both a comprehensive picture of the operating costs to the state as well as details about affected families who lose assistance, such as the help they requested, the services they received (and from whom), whether and how they are positioned on a true path to long-term economic success, and how Hope Florida calculates long-term savings from reductions in basic needs caseloads. Until then, cutting off a vulnerable family’s assistance — regardless of whether the family has found work that pays a living wage or still needs help getting back on their feet — is not a laudable outcome.
Note
[1] Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs also provides, in conjunction with Bay Area Legal Services, a Florida Senior Legal Helpline, to answer legal questions by phone and help maximize resources available to low income seniors.
Re-employment Assistance (RA)
Department of Children and Families (DCF) Multi-Program Policies
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Medicaid
Child Nutrition Programs
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Re-employment Assistance (RA)
American Rescue Plan Act Changes. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 extended PEUC and PUA benefits through the week ending September 6, 2021. It also increased the maximum duration of PEUC benefits ($300 a week) to 53 weeks and the maximum duration of PUA to 79 weeks. Although PEUC and PUA did not end until September 6, 2021, Florida withdrew from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program (FPUC) effective June 26, 2021. FPUC provided persons who were out of work due to COVID-19 with an additional $300 a week in unemployment insurance.
Reemployment Assistance weeks reverted to 12 effective January 1, 2022. DEO determines the maximum number of weeks available to RA claimants based on a statutory formula that looks at the average unemployment rate for the most recent third calendar year quarter (i.e., July, August, and September). Based on the downturn in unemployment, the maximum number of weeks for RA reverted to 12 effective January 1, 2022.
RA work-search and work registration requirements reinstated on May 30, 2021. Persons filing an application for RA benefits beginning March 15, 2020, are not required to complete work registration in Employ Florida through May 29, 2021. In addition, work search requirements for individuals requesting benefits for the weeks beginning March 15, 2020, were also reinstated on May 30, 2021.
RA biweekly reporting requirements reinstated. Although previously waived, biweekly reporting was reinstated effective May 10, 2020. DEO’s guide to claiming weeks is here.
Mobile app deployed. DEO has deployed a mobile app for RA applications.
DEO announces extended benefits. DEO announced implementation of Extended Benefits (EB).
Resources and guidance. For a list of resources and guidance from the United States Department of Labor on unemployment insurance and COVID-19, go here.
For DEO’s “Reemployment Assistance Frequently Asked Questions and Additional Resources,” updated 12/30/2020, go here.
For DEO’s latest claims data, go here.
Department of Children and Families (DCF) Multi-Program Policies
DCF opens offices. DCF has reopened its brick-and-mortar storefronts, which were previously closed due to coronavirus.
DCF adds call center numbers. DCF has added a call center number for Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call center numbers now include 850-300-4323, 866-762-2237, or TTY 1-800-955-8771.
Certification periods extended by 6 months only through August 2020. Certification periods for cash, food and medical assistance were extended by 6 months for individuals and families scheduled to recertify in April through August 2020. FNS’ approval of the SNAP extension for August is here. However, effective September 1, 2020, SNAP, TANF and Medicaid recertifications have been reinstated, although DCF says that no one will lose Medicaid due to recertification.
DCF allows phone interviews. Phone interviews are now being used for TANF cash and SNAP food assistance.
Mandatory work requirements suspended only through May 2021. Under a directive from Governor DeSantis to waive work requirements for safety net programs, DCF waived work requirements for individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) through May 2021. To do this, DCF explains that it partnered with the Department of Economic Opportunity to apply “good cause” statewide for TANF and SNAP recipients who would otherwise be subject to participation in mandatory work requirements as a condition of receiving those benefits. Through May 2021, persons who were sanctioned in the past due to work requirements will be able to reapply and participate in SNAP or TANF again.
Work requirements were reinstated effective June 1, 2021.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Emergency allotments (EA) ended. DCF automatically supplemented SNAP allotments of current recipients up to the maximum for a household’s size for July 2021. However, EA was discontinued beginning August 1, 2021.
The SNAP benefits increase by 15 percent ended in October 2021. Floridians who participate in SNAP to put food on the table will receive a temporary 15 percent supplement to SNAP under COVID relief passed by Congress and extended by the American Rescue Plan Act through September 2021.
FNS permanently increases SNAP through revamp of the Thrifty Food Plan. Effective October 2021, FNS has mandated a permanent increase to SNAP through a revamp of the Thrifty Food Plan. DCF says that the increase amounts to about 6% for Floridians.
Time limits suspended. SNAP time limits are suspended during the COVID-19 public health emergency. No one in Florida should be barred from SNAP due to time limits, even if they exhausted their time limit in the past.
Florida granted waiver to allow families to purchase groceries online. DCF has been granted a federal waiver to permit the State of Florida to launch a pilot project statewide effective April 21, 2020, that allows families to purchase groceries online with their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card instead of going into stores.
- At present, participating retailers are Walmart, Amazon, Aldi, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and Publix. DCF cautions, however, that EBT cards cannot be used for delivery fees.
- For more information, see DCF’s questions and answers about online purchasing with SNAP.
Medicaid
No Medicaid terminations from March 2020 through the end of the federal public health emergency. The national public health emergency has existed since January 27, 2020 and has been renewed by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services in 90-day increments since that time. The most recent renewal is effective January 16, 2022.
On March 31, 2020, AHCA alerted providers and DCF posted on the ACCESS website that:
- No Medicaid recipient will lose Medicaid eligibility during the COVID-19 public health emergency (unless the individual is no longer a state resident or request voluntary termination); under the newly enacted Families First Coronavirus Response Act, a state is prohibited from ending coverage for recipients enrolled as of March 18th for the duration of the public health emergency if the state opts to obtain an enhanced federal Medicaid match.
- AHCA is working to notify recipients who may have received a termination notice in the month of March that their benefits will be reinstated.
- An FAQ released by federal CMS provides some examples of Medicaid eligibility groups protected under these "no termination" requirements including: former foster care youth aging out when they turn 26; youth aging out of children's eligibility when they turn 19; individuals who become ineligible for SSI; individuals no longer qualifying for Qualified Medicare Benefits (QMB). In a May 5, 2020 update, CMS states that this “no termination” requirement also applies to medically needy individuals determined eligible during the public health emergency even if they do not continue to meet their monthly share of cost in subsequent months. This protection extends through the last day of the month the public health emergency ends.
- On October 28, 2020, federal CMS issued a new interim final rule weakening the continuous coverage, “no termination” requirement. In states like Florida that have opted to cover full benefits for lawfully residing children in the first 5 years after entry into the United States, once they turn 18, states are now required to limit their coverage to emergency services. In addition, states are now permitted to reduce optional benefits such as dental coverage or increase cost-sharing such as requiring nursing home residents to contribute more to their costs of care. But in Florida this type of change would require the Legislature to amend state Medicaid law.
Redetermination/recertification times are reinstated. As of October 1, 2020 AHCA's website is alerting recipients that the Department of Children and Families is now mailing letters for case reviews to check if a household is still eligible for Medicaid and/or Medically Needy. AHCA is urging people receiving these letters to take steps now to re-apply. But note, Medicaid coverage will not end during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. In January 2021 DCF conducted one-year “automated renewals” for people whose sole income is social security and SSI and are enrolled in an SSI-related Medicaid program (e.g., MEDS/AD, Medically Needy and Medicare Savings Programs). People getting VA income were not included in the automated renewal.
Extended application time. Effective with applications filed in February 2020, the time for submitting documentation required to process an application is extended for 120 days from the date of the application and eligibility will still be effective the first day of the month the application was received. Effective July 1, 2021, this policy has been rescinded. Medicaid applications submitted on or after July 1, 2021 may be denied on the 30th day after application or the day after verification information is due. Applications filed prior to July 1, will be allowed 120 days to provide requested verification to establish Medicaid eligibility.
Exclusion of additional unemployment payments in determining eligibility. The $600/week of additional unemployment insurance payments under the CARES Act will not be counted as income in determining Medicaid eligibility. (However, these payments will be counted as income in determining marketplace subsidy calculations.)
Coverage of Medicaid services during the state of emergency
- Coverage of all medically necessary services to COVID-19 testing and treatment.
- Waiver of limits on services that must be exceeded to maintain the health and safety of recipients diagnosed with COVID-19 or when necessary to maintain a recipient safely in their home
- Waiver of prior authorization requirements for hospital, physician, advanced practice registered nursing, physician assistant, home health services and durable medical equipment and supplies. As of June 19, 2020, AHCA reinstated prior authorization requirements for all of these services.
- Waiver of copayments for all services
- Waiver of limits on early prescription refills, except for controlled substances
- Coverage of a 90-day supply of maintenance prescriptions when available at the pharmacy
- Reimbursement of out-of-state providers providing medically necessary services to Florida Medicaid beneficiaries. As of July 1, 2021, the availability of provider “provisional enrollment” for in-state and out-of-state providers will end.
- 120 day extension of time to request fair hearings. As of July 1, 2021, the extended timeframe ends and the standard timeframes available to recipients to submit an appeal or request a hearing will be reinstated.
- Delay of fair hearings only in those instances when the recipient is continuing to receive services pending the outcome of the hearing
COVID-19 Vaccines for Medicaid Enrollees. In an executive order published March 16, 2021 Governor DeSantis revised the vaccine distribution plan, which applies to the general public including Medicaid enrollees, to lower the age requirement to 40 effective March 29, 2021 and then effective April 5, 2021 all Floridians are eligible to receive any COVID-19 vaccination approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Medicaid enrollees eligible to receive the vaccine may visit myvaccine.fl.gov to find a location distributing the vaccine and to schedule an appointment.
On March 12, 2021, AHCA published instructions for Medicaid enrollees on how to obtain Medicaid transportation once they have scheduled an appointment for a vaccine. AHCA states: "Florida Medicaid will take you to get the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost. All you need to do is set up a time to get your vaccine. Next, let your Medicaid plan know you need a ride and they will take care of the rest. If you are not enrolled in a plan, call the Medicaid Helpline at 1-877-254-1055 to find out the name and phone number for a transportation service."
The state has also recently launched a new email system to help bring COVID-19 vaccines to homebound seniors. Seniors will be able to sign up to have the vaccine come to them by emailing a request to HomeboundVaccine@em.myflorida.com.
AHCA has posted Medicaid Alerts and FAQs providing more detail on Medicaid service changes in response to COVID-19. They address a wide range of topics including, but not limited to: telemedicine guidance for medical, behavioral health, and early intervention services providers; long-term care provider network flexibilities allowing more types of providers to deliver specified long term care services; and continuity of care for adult day care center enrollees during the time these centers are closed.
AHCA is loosening coverage restrictions for behavioral health services. Effective May 5, 2020, all prior authorization requirements for mental health or substance use disorder treatment are waived and service limitations (frequency and duration) are lifted. For behavioral analysis services, current authorizations will be extended through an "administrative approval process" which does not require providers to reassess beneficiaries currently getting services. Effective July 1, 2021 service limits will be reinstated for behavioral health services and effective July 15, 2021 Medicaid prior authorization requirements will be reinstated for behavioral health services.
Per a May 29, 2020 provider alert, during the state of emergency AHCA will be reimbursing providers for telemedicine well-child visits provided to children older than 24 months through age 20. Providers are directed to actively work to schedule follow-up in-person visits to administer immunizations and other physical components of the exam which cannot be accomplished through telemedicine.
Coverage of home and community-based waiver services (HCBS) - In response to the public emergency, Florida obtained approval from the federal government to make changes in HCBS waiver programs, including the Long Term Care and Developmental Disabilities programs. The changes are effective retroactively from January 27, 2020 to January 26, 2021. Details can be found here. They include, but are not limited to:
- permitting virtual evaluations, assessments and care planning meetings in lieu of face to face meetings and use of electronic signatures;
- lifting service limits in order to address health and welfare issues of enrollees;
- adjusting service prior authorization requirements;
- temporarily expanding the settings where services can be provided;
- allowing payments for support services provided to enrollees in hospital or short- term institutional settings; and
- prohibiting visitors in certain residential settings to minimize the spread of infection.
Note on COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccines for the uninsured. Florida has not opted to receive 100 percent federal Medicaid funding for COVID-19 testing of people without health insurance. Under the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act this option has been expanded to cover COVID-19 treatment and vaccines for the uninsured as well. Since the state has not taken up this option Floridians must look to an uneven patchwork of free testing, treatment, and vaccine resources scattered around the state. AHCA advises that uninsured people may receive free testing from their county health department or a federally qualified health center and that “many communities provide testing for free for individuals who do not have insurance. Please [click here] to find a test site in your area. Uninsured individuals should ask before the test whether testing is free of charge." There are no state agency instructions on where uninsured people can receive free treatment. However, more information on possible sources for free treatment is available here.
Residency proof no longer required at some vaccine sites, “paving the way for migrants.” - On April 29, 2021 Surgeon General Rivkees issued a new public health advisory specifying that COVID-19 vaccines are available to “a Florida resident” or someone “who is present in Florida for the purpose of providing goods or services for the benefits of residents and visitors of the State of Florida.” This new policy applies to all state-run and federally supported vaccination sites. It rescinds an advisory issued in January that had restricted vaccinations to people who could show proof of Florida residency
2021 unemployment compensation claimants can access free or reduced cost health insurance through the ACA marketplace. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace was re-opened in February 2021 to give people who need health insurance a new “special enrollment" opportunity to get covered. The 2021 American Rescue Plan eliminated or vastly reduced premiums for many people with low or moderate incomes.
Starting July 1, 2021, people who received or have been approved for unemployment compensation for any week beginning in 2021 can access free or reduced cost comprehensive health insurance plans through the ACA marketplace. This benefit is available regardless of someone's current income. To get this benefit, people must enroll in the marketplace no later than August 15, 2021. For help with enrollment, contact Covering Florida at 877-813-9115.
Child Nutrition Programs
School children in distance learning still eligible for free or reduced cost meals. Students in distance learning for 2020-21 can still receive school meals through the National School Lunch Program if they are eligible. The student or parent/guardian may pick up meals at the school but should contact their school for more information.
For a list of current child nutrition program waivers for Florida from USDA, go here.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Congress allows increased fruit and vegetable benefits. At present, WIC provides $9 for children and $11 for women monthly for fruits and vegetables. The American Rescue Plan Act makes funding available for a four-month increase in the benefit of up to $35 monthly, if a state chooses to do so.
DOH attains waiver allowing remote issuance: Department of Health (DOH) obtained a waiver of the requirement that participants pick up their EBT cards in person at recertification or during nutritional education appointments.
WIC participants allowed to substitute certain food. Under a waiver from USDA, WIC participants in Florida are allowed to substitute milk of any available fat content and whole wheat or whole grain bread in package sizes up to 24 oz. when 16 oz. packages are unavailable.
USDA waived physical presence requirements: Although the scope and logistics are unclear at this time, USDA has given DOH permission to waive the requirement that persons be physically present at each certification or recertification determination in order to determine eligibility under the program through May 31, 2020.
USDA extends certification periods through May 31, 2020, for some participants.
For a list of current WIC waivers for Florida from USDA, go here.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
HHS provides guidance. HHS has issued guidance on the flexibilities in TANF to respond to COVID-19.
