More info on ACCESS
TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is continuing to provide new ACCESS cards to clients who receive public assistance benefits. These new cards feature a lighthouse design and are replacing the American flag design to provide a more durable card.
The new card is for customers who receive benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP (formerly known as food stamps), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), Refugee Assistance, and Food Assistance Employment and Training. The card has been distributed to new customers and as replacements for lost, stolen or damaged cards.
Beginning January 23, 2012, the new ACCESS lighthouse card will be mailed to customers who are still using the American flag card. These cards will be mailed to customers living in Florida over the next few months (please see chart below). Customers should destroy their old flag card and begin using the new ACCESS card. The ACCESS card is active and ready for immediate use and the PIN will remain the same. The American flag cards will be cut off in 90 days and will no longer be accepted after July 30, 2012.
Similar to a commercial credit or debit card, the new card will have an expiration date and will be replaced automatically every four years. Authorized retailers statewide have been informed of this change, and posters and fliers have been distributed through community partners and in DCF service centers.
