People with last names beginning with G-P line up for D-SNAP cards

Cards to be given out from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Long lines formed early Wednesday for the second day that the Florida Department of Children and Families is handing out D-SNAP cards for people affected by Hurricane Irma.

Thousands of people showed up Wednesday to get one of the food cards after a busy Tuesday, which led to congestion and frustration around Hard Rock Stadium and the BB&T Center.

Authorities said they are hoping to keep things under control for Wednesday's events and Local 10 News reporter Layron Livingston said things appeared to be running more smoothly Wednesday at Hard Rock Stadium.

The stadium filled to capacity just before 2:30 p.m. and DCF officials said they would only serve those who were already in line for the cards. 

"We lost about $600 worth of food. We went without lights for about two weeks, so that's why I came," Greyss Piloto said.

Piloto told Livingston that she lined up at 5 a.m. to receive the food card. Others lined up Tuesday night. 

"Depending on income, on family size, the losses suffered -- that's how we determine the benefits that they're eligible for," said Gilda Ferradaz, deputy regional managing director with DCF, Southern Region.

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.

"It's a necessity," one woman told Local 10 News. "You know, we did lose a lot of money with the food and we were two weeks without light, two weeks without the services, so we did need the food and stuff."

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.

On Wednesday, they will be giving out cards to people with last names beginning with G through P.

The D-SNAP card allows people to purchase groceries who don't quality for regular food stamps, but who suffered a disaster-related loss.

D-SNAP cards will be given out from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
 
 
 


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.

Layron Livingston made the move from Ohio's Miami Valley to Miami, Florida, to join the Local 10 News team.