Governor Ron DeSantis Announces First-in-the-Nation Restrictions on Temporary Cash Assistance Purchases

TAMPA, Fla. —Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida will become the first state in the nation to amend its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) State Plan to prohibit Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) benefits from being used to directly purchase inappropriate, luxury and non-essential items.

“Florida has become the first in the nation to set guardrails on our TANF State Plan to stop these taxpayer-funded benefits from being used to purchase inappropriate, luxury, and non-essential goods and services. Taxpayer-funded assistance should help families put food on the table, keep the lights on, purchase clothing, provide for their children and overcome barriers on the path toward independence,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We will continue supporting Floridians who genuinely need assistance, while working to improve accountability and transparency so that these programs operate as intended.”

Under the amended TANF State Plan, Florida will prohibit TCA benefits from being used to directly purchase:

• Tobacco, nicotine and vaping products;
• Drugs and intoxicants;
• Pornography;
• Video games, entertainment tickets, theme park admission and entertainment subscriptions;
• Tattoos, spa services, tanning and other luxury services; and
• Psychic and fortune-telling services.

   

TCA benefits are issued through an EBT card to help eligible families pay for ongoing basic needs, including food, clothing, housing, utilities, household goods and personal care. The average household receiving TCA receives approximately $250 per month. Florida also uses TANF funds to support the Relative Caregiver Program, which currently provides assistance to relatives caring for more than 4,000 children across the state.

“Temporary Cash Assistance is designed to provide families with flexibility during times of need, and these commonsense changes preserve that flexibility while strengthening the integrity of the program,” said DCF Interim Secretary Kate Williams. “Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida continues to ensure government assistance serves as a bridge to greater stability and independence while safeguarding taxpayer resources.”

Florida already prohibits EBT card use or acceptance for alcohol purchases and transactions at adult entertainment establishments, pari-mutuel wagering facilities, slot machine facilities, commercial bingo establishments and casinos or gaming facilities. Florida’s EBT vendor blocks point-of-sale transactions at those businesses and ATM transactions at prohibited locations. The first-in-the-nation policy expands those controls to additional items and services at eligible retailers.

“Florida’s commitment to helping families move toward economic self-sufficiency includes connecting Floridians with meaningful pathways to employment and career advancement,” said CareerSource Florida President and CEO Adrienne Johnston. “Through Florida’s workforce system, individuals can access the training, credentials, apprenticeships, work-based learning, and employer connections needed to build skills and increase their earning potential. These efforts help ensure temporary assistance serves as a bridge to greater stability, independence, and opportunity for Florida families.”

The new food restrictions also align TCA with Florida’s Healthy SNAP initiative. Since April 2026, SNAP benefits in Florida may not be used to purchase soda, energy drinks, candy or ultra-processed prepared desserts.

The new restrictions will be implemented in phases, beginning with SNAP-authorized retailers and expanding transaction-level controls to additional prohibited products and services.

To learn more about Temporary Cash Assistance and Healthy SNAP Florida, visit myflfamilies.com.