Hurricane Food Assistance This Week In Dade, Broward

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Those wanting to apply for emergency food stamp assistance following Hurricane Irma will have one last chance to do so at two sites in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties starting Tuesday.

Tens of thousands are expected at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens and the BB&T Center in Sunrise over the next few days to apply for the Food for Florida Federal Disaster program – a program to assist those affected by Hurricane Irma.

"The DSNAP program is disaster food stamps basically and the eligibility for disaster food stamps is that you're not on regular food stamps. We actually gave an extra benefit to those who are receiving food stamps," said Bronwyn Stanford with the Department of Children and Families.

The federal program is run by the Department of Children and Families in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

DCF says the requirements include having suffered a loss of food or power, damage to the home or self-employment property, loss of income or other disaster-related expenses.

Last month, throngs of people lined up at several locations in both counties requesting assistance, lining up the night before.  One site had to be shut down because of public safety concerns when the hot weather got to be too much for those standing in line.  Another one was shut down because it was at capacity.

This time around, those applying will spend part of the process inside an air conditioned building.

"This is one mega site.  And we tried to pick a site that enabled people to be inside, first of all, out of the sun and a lot more space for parking and line formation," said Stanford.

Applications can be submitted at Hard Rock Stadium and the BB&T Center Tuesday, November 7th, through Thursday, November 9th, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

To avoid too many people showing up at once, DCF is taking applicants based on the first letter of their last name on specific dates.  On Tuesday, November 7th, letters A-F; Wednesday, November 8th, G-P; Thursday, November 9th, letters Q-Z.

Also keep in mind, you have to follow the policies of the Hard Rock and BB&T Center when it comes to what you're allowed to bring while you wait.

"A clear bag, no strollers, of course weapons will be prohibited.  We don't want people bringing in chairs because they won't be able to get them through the line once they enter the stadium," said Stanford.

For more information on Hard Rock Stadium policies, click here.

BB&T's bag and personal item policy will be strictly enforced at this event. Bags or personal items larger than 12 by 12 inches, backpacks, coolers, umbrellas and chairs are not permitted in the exterior line or inside of the BB&T Center building.

For public safety reasons, this site will accept vehicle traffic only except for applicants who are taking the bus that drops them off in front of the BB&T Center.

As the temperature inside of BB&T Center is regulated to maintain NHL ice, please be prepared for colder temperatures inside of the center.

Gates open at 6 a.m. at Hard Rock Stadium and at BB&T for people to start lining up.  DCF recommends you preregister here if you plan to come down.