Franklin County, home to Apalachicola and Florida's storied 'Forgotten Coast,' routes SNAP, Medicaid, and cash assistance through the Tallahassee service center in neighboring Leon County. The county seat has its own dedicated housing authority.
Assistance available in Franklin County
🛒 SNAP Food Stamps
SNAP provides monthly food benefits on an EBT card. Florida households generally qualify with gross income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, with deductions for housing, child care, and medical costs for elderly or disabled household members reducing countable income further.
Franklin County applicants apply through ACCESS Florida online, by mail, or in person at the Tallahassee Service Center in neighboring Leon County.
🩺 Medicaid
Florida Medicaid income limits vary sharply by category — children and pregnant women qualify at higher income levels than parents or other adults, since Florida has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Seniors and people with disabilities may qualify through separate long-term care pathways with different rules.
Franklin County Medicaid applications are processed through the Tallahassee Service Center (Leon Co.), or online via ACCESS Florida.
🏠 Housing Assistance
The Housing Authority of the City of Apalachicola, located at 141 15th Street, manages public housing for Franklin County, known for its oyster industry and Gulf coastline.
Waitlists for Section 8 vouchers commonly close for extended periods due to high demand. Check directly with the housing authority for current waitlist status before assuming a program is unavailable.
💵 Cash Assistance (TCA)
Temporary Cash Assistance provides monthly payments to families with children under 18 (or under 19 if a full-time high school student). Households must have countable assets at or below $2,000, and adults face a lifetime limit of 48 months of benefits with work or job-training requirements unless exempt.
Franklin County TCA applications go through the Tallahassee Service Center (Leon Co.) and the ACCESS Florida system, same as SNAP and Medicaid.
Franklin County contact information
Tallahassee Service Center (shared with Leon County)
2810 Sharer Road, Unit 24, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Franklin County does not have its own DCF storefront — the nearest service center is in Tallahassee.
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (call ahead to confirm)
Statewide Contact Numbers
ACCESS Customer Call Center: 1-850-300-4323
General DCF/SNAP helpline: 1-866-762-2237
Elder & disability long-term care (Medicaid): 1-800-963-5337
Florida Relay (deaf/hard of hearing): 711
How to apply for benefits in Franklin County
- Create an ACCESS Florida account at myflorida.com/accessflorida to apply for SNAP, Medicaid, or Temporary Cash Assistance online.
- Gather documents — photo ID, proof of income (pay stubs or benefit letters), proof of residency, and Social Security numbers for household members.
- Complete the interview — most applications include a phone interview with a DCF caseworker serving Franklin County.
- For housing assistance, contact Housing Authority of the City of Apalachicola directly — this is a separate application from ACCESS Florida.
- Watch for your decision and renewal notices — most certification periods last 6–12 months, and DCF mails a renewal reminder before they expire.