MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – People were pouring into Hard Rock Stadium and the BB&T Center Tuesday morning as another round of disaster assistance is underway for those who qualify for D-SNAP benefits in South Florida.
This is the second attempt made by federal officials after the last try led to long lines, frustration and hundreds being turned away empty-handed.
People who waited in line Tuesday at Hard Rock Stadium told Local 10 News that there was some pushing and shoving, but for the most part, things were peaceful.
A D-SNAP card is basically a debit card to buy groceries and is being given to people who don't qualify for regular food stamps, but who suffered a disaster-related loss.
The Florida Department of Children and Families says at last check, 150,000 people in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties who were affected by Hurricane Irma had pre-registered to get D-SNAP cards this week.
DCF gave cards out last month, but this month they're doing things differently.
This time, there's only one Miami-Dade and Broward location, instead of multiple locations at different parks.
DCF officials in both Broward and Miami-Dade counties are running on a staggered schedule, meaning they're serving customers over three days based on the first letter of the recipient's last name.
"Today, we're serving last names beginning from A though F," said Bronwyn Stanford, regional managing director for DCF of the Southern Region. "Tomorrow, it's going to be G through P. The final day, Thursday the 9th, we're doing Q through Z."
One woman who spoke to Local 10 News reporter Madeleine Wright Tuesday morning said all of her food was rotten after she lost power during Irma.
She said she waited in line since Monday night to make sure that she got her D-SNAP card.
"I am happy, yes," Yaneth Alzate said. "It's a lot of people, you know? But today, I come in at 11 o'clock in the night yesterday."
D-SNAP cards will be given out from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.