Ok so for the last 3 months I have applied for foodstamps and been denied, because I failed to get a hold of a real live person at the number they provided. Unfortunately, I call and call and call and the only response I get is a recording that states "All operators are busy with other customers please try your call again later, goodbye."
It would be awesome if they had a office to go to but there is only one application center in Brevard County and it is 45 miles away from where I live. This is becoming so frustrating. I work, but I make so little that all it really does is pay rent and electricity and water. I use public computers. My daughter is in school and is in kindergarten and she gets the free lunch based on my income. I am at a loss. Does anyone know a different number that I could call and be able to reach a real person? Or a email address so I could at least file a complaint...

Here is their website - Florida Department of Children and Families - Contact Us (http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/contact/contact_ACCESS.shtml)

If you look at the very bottom of the site there's a form for comments and complaints. Some of the other info might be helpful to you.

The only other suggestion I can think of is calling very early or very late in the day.

Try calling and waiting for the options of what language to choose from. Pick your language and then when she begins to talk choose option 2 when she starts to talk again press 2 and when she talks again press 2 (you should have put in the number 2 three times) then it will ask for a 9 digit access number (all the numbers start with the number 6 so just type in 9 random digits starting with the number 6 (ex. 654345487) then it will ask for the date of birth type in your date of birth (ex. 01011976) it will say it is going to retrieve your info press 00 at that time and then it will say it is transferring you. If it's "high call volumes" hang up and try again. Eventually you will get someone. Hope this helps! :)

Attached to my answer from before I am sorry you would choose the number 2 - 4x not 3... hope I fixed it. :)

Jarson- That does not work. I believe they have changed their options. I am new to Florida and this is the WORST system I have ever heard of. I have paid taxes for years and now I need help and my children haven't eaten in days and they won't even answer their phone. I was approved but have to wait 3 months for food stamps to start? My children will die before that. For real. It is sad. I am just hoping we survive on nothing but scraps from Winn Dixie's dumpter (no joke) until I start my teaching position at the end of Aug. I am so sorry I ever moved to Florida!

The only advice I can find is that calling closer to closing time is the only way you can get on hold. Usually the phone service won't do anything but hang up on you and sometimes it will tell you that all lines are busy. I have also found that they run on Eastern time so if you are in the panhandle you have to remember they close an hour earlier.

There is a parenting number you can call. 1800-FLA-LOVE. I should call and ask them how to stop children from fighting over the last package of ramen noddles. The state is hell!

Oh.. and I received cash assistance but no food??

Hey I just looked up this while trying to figure out how to get In touch with a live freaking person at dcf... I figured it out though! When you call it asks you to put in your access number or social security number.. Do that... Put your birthday in... then it's going to bring you to menu options just hit zero (0) it's going to say they are too busy end the call or press 1.. press 1 and as soon as it brings you back to menu hit ZERO again... I did this and it put me on hold to talk to someone!! Thank you Jesus! If it doesn't work first time just keep doing the same process.. press zero if busy hit 1 then hit zero again then it should connect you if not keep trying don't hang up

I just triedyour procedure -- IT WORKED!! After entering your ssn and birthday I pressed 0 and then 1 and got into the que for a real live person! THANKS!