- April 16, 2024
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Donna Mota heads a one-woman county department to connect needy families with benefits.
The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners unanimously agreed to invest $40,000 in the creation of a Mobile Benefits Program in May, to aid needy families. Donna Mota was hired in July to build the program by seeking out those eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, as well as other benefits packages.
Since then, Mota has submitted 87 SNAP applications to the state.
“It’s basically just me,” Mota said of her department, explaining that she currently travels to and from eight locations throughout Flagler — usually churches, libraries and food pantries — setting up her laptop wherever she can find a free chair, table and power outlet.
With federal funds administered through the Department of Children and Families, the Mobile Benefits Program represents a partnership between the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates, Second Harvest of North Florida, the United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties, the Center for Business Excellence and the county and state.
Second Harvest will take over the program in two years, after Mota gets it off the ground.
Mota’s job is to be a one-stop shop for those seeking information on benefits. After meeting with her, residents will have been interviewed for eligibility and given help submitting applications to DCF, to be processed for SNAP, and in some cases Medicaid or Temporary Cash Assistance.
She also carries with her a binder packed with information on other resources. “If I can’t help someone,” she said, “at least I can point them to someone who can.”
Between August and September, Mota submitted 87 SNAP applications, in addition to 15 for Medicaid and two for cash assistance. Of that group, 50 applications were approved, and 21 remain pending, which she says is right around the average state approval rate.
Combined, the 44 applications resulted in $11,300 dispensed to local families each month via debit cards which arrive by mail as quickly as three days after submittal. In six months, applicants must recertify, and if all are approved again, Mota says her two month’s worth of work could bring families more than $135,600, which would circulate locally, through grocery sales.
Second Harvest estimates that there are currently 3,309 households in Flagler that would potentially qualify, but are not claiming, benefits.
A five-year Flagler resident, Mota previously worked for Children’s Medical Services, in Daytona Beach. She also has been a Medicare specialist, and she says getting out of an office, away from insurance claims and into the world, has been a rewarding change.
“If you’re doing this kind of work, it’s very nice to do it in the area where you live,” she said. “I could actually do an application that could result in a (neighbor) getting the help that they need. It’s really a tangible, direct way of helping people.”
Second Harvest of Central Florida also started with one specialist, in 2008. Now, it’s up to 11, and its application approval rate sits at 80%, which is 15% higher than the state’s.
“So hopefully, Flagler will have that same growth,” Mota said. “Because we know the need is there. It’s just a matter of getting to the people.”
MOTA ON THE RUN
A tentative location schedule for Flagler County Mobile Benefits Specialist Donna Mota is as follows:
Wickline Center – 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., second and fourth Mondays
First Baptist Church of Bunnell – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., first and fourth Tuesdays
Hammock Community Center – noon to to 2 p.m., second and third Tuesdays
Health Department – 9-11:30 a.m., second and fourth Wednesdays
Grace Community Food Pantry – 3-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Human Services – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays
Flagler County Public Library, Palm Coast – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., second , third and fourth Fridays
Hidden Trails Community Center – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., second Saturday
Mota updates her schedule every Sunday. Call 855-515-SNAP. Bring ID and proof of the last four weeks of income.
Contact Mike Cavaliere at [email protected].
