Providing healthcare for children is a major objective of the Florida Department of Children and Families.
For many low-income families in Florida, various state agencies provide a variety of needed services and products. Programs available to low-income families include access to health care, low-cost or free food, affordable housing and even educational opportunities. Access to these programs is available through local government agencies or various online resources. Many state agencies also provide assistance in connecting low-income families with support programs.
Health Care
Uninsured, low-income families in Florida can take advantage of a variety of health-care support programs, each dedicated to a specialized product or service. State programs such as Medicaid and the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan assist families with a variety of health-care issues, such as regular checkups, dental care, immunizations and pregnancy. Florida KidCare and Medicaid for Children are focused on providing these services to children in Florida, regardless of parent or guardian eligibility.
Food
Florida provides several food assistance programs for low-income families, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and SUNCAP. Through the SNAP program, families receive state assistance to purchase healthy foods such as breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish and dairy products. These benefits are provide by means of a state-issued debit card, which can be used at most retailers. The SUNCAP program is designed for individuals or families who receive Supplemental Security Income, but still require assistance to purchase food.
Cash
Under the Florida Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) program, qualified low-income families with children can receive a monthly cash allowance from the state to help the family become self-supporting. Under a similar program--the Relative Caregiver Program--eligible relatives with custody of a child under the age of 18 can also qualify for a monthly cash allowance. The amount of money given out each month is dependent on the number of children in the household as well as their age, and can range from $242 to $298 per child as of 2010.
Telephone Service
Under a program administered by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC), low-income families may qualify for discounted telephone service through the Lifeline Service. This program was designed to assist low-income families obtain basic telephone service as well as cellular phone service (SafeLink Wireless in some cases. The PSC provides this service through private telephone service carriers such as Sprint and Verizon.
Home Heating and Cooling
Administered by the Florida Department of Community Affairs, Florida offers the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to qualified families. This program provides federal money to low-income families through various nonprofit agencies and local government entities that assist them in heating or cooling their home.
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