Fla. first in food stamp accuracy

Jul 17, 2009 1 min read

TALLAHASSEE (AP) – The Department of Children and Families is the best in the country in food stamp payment accuracy.

That’s what DCF Secretary George Sheldon told Gov. Charlie Crist Wednesday during a briefing on the agency’s progress in areas.

Just three years ago, Florida was “neck and neck” with Maine for most errors in administering the program, Crist was told. Now it’s tops in the country and was rewarded with a $7.1 million bonus. They achieved the goal while adding 800,000 people to the food stamp rolls.

Among other highlights, Sheldon said the department has reduced the number of foster children in its care by 10,000 through programs to keep kids safely in their homes.