Information on JCS’ Services During SNAP Lapse and Federal Shutdown:


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Home / Information on JCS’ Services During SNAP Lapse and Federal Shutdown:

As South Florida braces for the elimination of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits on November 1st, Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) is stepping up to ensure that the most vulnerable members of our community do not face hunger or despair during this critical time.

JCS CLIENTS:

The change will impact roughly 1,400 JCS clients, including seniors, Holocaust survivors, and families already living on limited incomes, who will lose an average of $176.35 per month in food assistance. For many, this loss represents a devastating blow to their ability to meet basic nutritional needs.

To address this urgent situation, JCS is offering the following relief measures:

  • Additional monetary support for clients in the JCS Delivers program
  • Increased food supplies for individuals receiving home-delivered meals
  • Food cards for clients in the Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program who receive SNAP
  • Publix gift cards for clients identified as most in need

JCS 211 MIAMI:

As the community experiences a lapse in SNAP benefits beginning November 1, the JCS 211 Miami program has been actively supporting individuals and families impacted by this interruption. JCS 211 Miami is proudly provided by Jewish Community Services of South Florida, and funded by The Children’s Trust, and serves all members of the community 24/7/365, completely free of charge.

Since the beginning of October 2025, our 211 team has been responding to an increased volume of calls, providing referrals to food resources, emotional support, and counseling services.

Our trained specialists are assessing each caller’s situation comprehensively, often identifying multiple and urgent needs. In some cases, callers have exhibited a need for supportive counseling, and our team has provided immediate crisis intervention. We have also identified highly vulnerable clients, such as homebound seniors, who may require emergency food support or further follow-up to ensure their safety and well-being. The JCS team is addressing each need comprehensively.

We encourage anyone in need of assistance to call 2-1-1 for support. A full list of available food and community resources can also be found at https://211miami.org/resources/.

FEDERAL EMPLOYEES:

As the federal government shutdown continues, thousands of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees from Miami International Airport (MIA) have been showing up to work without receiving pay for almost 30 days. Despite not getting paid, these dedicated professionals continue to report to work each day to ensure the safety and security of our community.

In response, JCS, along with many other nonprofit organizations, has mobilized immediate, temporary relief to support these furloughed essential workers who are responsible for safety and security posts at MIA.

Currently, there are approximately 2,000 TSA and CBP employees in Miami-Dade County affected by the shutdown.

HOW TO GET HELP:

To find food, community resources, and other services, please call 2-1-1, or visit this link: https://211miami.org/resources/

To inquire about further assistance, please call JCS Access at 305.576.6550 from 8am-5pm Monday-Friday.

HOW TO HELP:

JCS is calling on the community to join its Milk & Honey Campaign, which directly funds essential programs such as the Kosher Food Bank, Older Adult Services, and JCS Delivers. Every contribution helps provide food, care, and stability to those who need it most.

To contribute, please visit: https://jcsfl.org/donate/milk-and-honey/