Hillsborough County, anchored by Tampa, is significant enough to form its own single-county DCF circuit, and is served by one of the state's largest housing authorities.
Assistance available in Hillsborough 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.
Hillsborough County applicants apply through ACCESS Florida online, by mail, or in person at the Tampa Service Center.
🩺 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.
Hillsborough County Medicaid applications are processed through the Tampa Service Center, or online via ACCESS Florida.
🏠 Housing Assistance
The Tampa Housing Authority, located at 5301 W Cypress St, manages public housing and Section 8 vouchers for Hillsborough County, one of Florida's largest housing agencies. Plant City Housing Authority (1306 Larrick Lane) serves the Plant City area specifically.
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.
Hillsborough County TCA applications go through the Tampa Service Center and the ACCESS Florida system, same as SNAP and Medicaid.
Hillsborough County contact information
Tampa Service Center
9393 North Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33612
Handles SNAP, Medicaid, and Temporary Cash Assistance for Hillsborough County, which forms its own DCF Circuit 13.
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 Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough County.
- For housing assistance, contact Tampa Housing Authority 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.