Ryan Nicol
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is releasing September Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits ahead of schedule in dozens of counties due to Hurricane Idalia.
The storm brought “extremely dangerous” impacts to the Big Bend area. Ahead of the storm, DCF decided to allow access to September SNAP benefits early to help individuals stock up for the storm.
“We know how helpful the early release of food assistance benefits can be for our SNAP recipients in purchasing non-perishable items in preparing for the storm or in replenishing food losses after the storm,” said DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris before landfall.
“The Department will do all that it can to support those impacted by this storm,” he added.
The benefits were added automatically to EBT cards around the state and were available Tuesday.
Those counties are: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Osceola, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia and Wakulla counties.
That list tracks with the 49 counties listed in Gov. Ron DeSantis’ most recent state of emergency executive order.
DCF had pushed residents to purchase nonperishable items ahead of the storm, as those can still be eaten if power is knocked out in a given area. Now that the storm has passed, residents can use benefits to re-supply any lost perishables.
Hurricane Idalia made landfall as a Category 2 storm and caused wind and flood damage in the hardest hit Big Bend area and surroundings. Flooding plagued much of Florida’s Gulf coast.
88 comments
Shauntina Morris
August 29, 2023 at 3:30 pm
I had a heart attack the end of june so i missed my recertification date in july ok i did my recertification application on the 8th of August and now the hurricane is approaching my county and i still haven’t gotten my EBT benefits and I have no groceries so how am I supposed to prepare for this what are me and my child going to do?????
Milliy
August 30, 2023 at 10:11 am
Blessings to you and your family, I hope you health is restored fully. Since you had a heart attack you can fax or upload a self typed letter, stating that you are requesting a Reasonable Accommodation to have a case worker with an working email address to correspond due to you medical situation, it isnt advised for you to travel back and forth to Food Stamp office. Mention that you are entitled to an accommodation under the Americans with disabilities act, trust me your’e covered. Do a lil research on ADA Accommodations, it isnt just for employment. Once you forward that letter to DCF they will have to grant the accommodation, if they dont they can be held liable for violating your right to accommodations, they dont want
Milliy
August 30, 2023 at 10:12 am
They dont want those kind of problems.
Robin K Villarreal
August 30, 2023 at 12:54 pm
I got a text too saying I already have the funds on my EBT card earlier today.
I never got any funds. Why say something if it’s not true?
Tiwanda L Turner
August 30, 2023 at 5:10 pm
me either that was last night
Tina Wetzell
September 2, 2023 at 3:50 am
I get mine on the 25 th of the month I lost power no way to get ice meats parished milk,so because I’m the 25 th we don’t get ours what’s up with that hell I gotta wait 24 more days ,doesn’t make sense to me and for the lady whom had a heart attack God bless you and your health imma pray and call some churches thell bring you food to your door sug
Kat
August 31, 2023 at 9:27 am
I did too
Jennifer M Langford
September 1, 2023 at 5:55 am
Same here said I got them never did
Megan yopp
September 1, 2023 at 3:37 pm
Are these same counties receiving disaster snap benefits for the aftermath of the hurricane. So many lost power and still is without power and so I have heard nothing about that since the aftermath
Peace
August 31, 2023 at 6:51 pm
That because they only release funds for ppl who get them from the 1st to the 14th . And the rest got nothing, ppl who were really hit and needed it don’t get them am sure
L.Shelton
September 3, 2023 at 7:24 pm
I remember reading 1,2,3,4th ebt would distribute. I think the 3rd & 4th will be the 2nd batch to roll out. I can’t find the article now but I hope so. Bought minimal for hurricane, and I am tired of eating popcorn and Hawaiin punch!
KaesMa
September 4, 2023 at 9:41 pm
Well I think that they were saying if you got your stamps 3 days ago, you should still have some left. People that got them at the beginning of the month obviously are at a lesser advantage than someone that got them 15 days ago or 22 days ago. Which makes sense and I am a stamp recipient. But they have released the rest of the counties that were affected. Not everyone in Florida is going to get them, not the whole state was impacted they are only releasing if you are in the 49 counties listed. With all that said, if for some reason you didn’t get them early or feel like the food that spoiled was more than what they released you can apply to get the amount of food that needs to be replaced. I will add that form here at the end. Again AT THE TIME OF THIS ARTICLE they had only released recipients THATS dates for release are from 1-14 meaning they haven’t had stamps on their card in almost a month some that is. But if you get them on the 25th then you should technically not need any because you should be pretty stocked. If you just got them on the 25th. But if you just bought food and it parishes bc of the outage or damage to home then there is a form to fill. I am not sure and what I am searching for is this. Do we still get the stamps on the date we normally do, if we were released early? Bc I read on the home page of DCF on the Adilia section, that at first it was just the 1-14 then they went ahead and released them all and it says that it is not for stocking but a mass replacement of food that could be potentially parished bc of storm. So I got that, the release was just for us to replace food that may or may not have parished during the storm. Instead of having to put a individual form for each person they are just releasing what you get normally as a way to restock. This is what I got from that article but if you know differently please let us know. I am adding the link below to to the individual replacement form. This is for people who get stamps and for whatever reason didn’t get the released EBT benefits as I see people saying they didn’t get it when they should have but I want to confirm that I will still get my release on my date or should I be doing a form for the deep freezer of meat that I no longer have bc the shed I house it lost power and I had no idea that the deep freezer had no power the house did but for whatever reason my shed that I use to house my washer dryer and deep freezer lost power and I wasn’t aware of that because my home had power. But I don’t want to apply if I am getting my stamps on my date bc that is sufficient enough I can surely replace the meat and vegetables if I am getting my normal amount on my date. I feel like that is what it’s for replacing even if you didn’t need to replace that they are giving it out to everyone. To make life easier for them I’m sure. Trying to pick through thousands of individual applications they just gave it to EBT recipients as a whole IF YOU ARE APRT OF THAT EFFECTED COUNTY LISTED NOT ALL OF FLORIDA WAS GIVEN THIS. If someone could answer that question for me I don’t want to miss the opportunity to apply if I need too to replace the food that was spoiled if I am not getting my stamps on the regular date. Because YOU ONLY HAVE 10 DAYS FROM THE DATE YOU WERE AFFECTED TO APPLY! Please share this information to people bc some do not know they have made a time limit and it’s very confusing. It seems like that what they mean, that what we got was just to help and replace food if you were affected. But I’m sure you will have people who will lie and say they were affected when they never even lost power and we will have families that actually did lose EVERYTHING food home etc and they not get the assistance they need bc they didn’t know what to do. Remember that when you apply, and don’t need it you could be taken food from someone who has none!
FORM FOR INDIVIDUAL APPLICATION FOR FOOD REPLACEMENT. AGAIN I DONT KNOW WHO SHOULD BE APPLYING BC IF WE ALREADY GOT THEM ON THE SECOND WE SHOUKD NOT APPLY FOR THEM BUT OF IT WE WILL JOT HET ANYMORE THIS MONTH TH FEW WHO DID LOSE WILL NEED TO APPL~~~~
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https://snap-replacement.azurewebsites.net/Home/replaceauth
L Shelton
September 4, 2023 at 8:17 pm
I made 2 comments in reference to getting benefits for 16th -28th early as 3,4th sendouts.guess what…I got $0.00!! I also emailed this site in ref to misleading info, and why do half and not all the families. It’s not right. I borrowed to stock for hurricane couple days, but truly somewhere its messed up. Today’s the 4th…
Ashlie Mcniek
August 31, 2023 at 5:36 am
The are behind and are taking up to 30 days to redo stamps mine just took 31 days after reapplying maybe if u call u can tell them u situation but if you don’t call by 750. You won’t get thru customer service
Jennifer
August 29, 2023 at 5:06 pm
Shits a lie we definitely DNT have our food stamps already they jus want the shit to sound good n like they doin something LIESSSSSS
Milliy
August 30, 2023 at 9:59 am
I got an entire 44.00 while im waiting for them to correct their discrepancies since July on my case, theyre the worst.
Denise
August 31, 2023 at 9:27 am
I Totally Agree
Candice Stinson
August 31, 2023 at 9:21 pm
Definitely didn’t get mine smh
Meka
September 1, 2023 at 7:07 am
IF UOWE FOR FOOD STAMP FRAUD ARE U ELIGIBLE IF THEEY GIVE EMERGENCY FOOD STAMPS
Misty M Kemp
August 29, 2023 at 6:45 pm
I live in Homosassa FL where we are expecting flooding and heavy winds and still haven’t been issued my food stamps and my sister got hers though. How will I feed my child if I can’t prepare for this storm .
Amy
August 29, 2023 at 8:20 pm
I received a text that said I had received my Sept food stamps early, but upon checking, it did not go through to me either. I’m thankful to have groceries, but am sad for those who are in a tough spot and have not gotten their benefits yet. This is heart wrenching. I hope you ladies who commented and have not received benefits can reach out to a friend locally for help.
Robert Vincent
August 29, 2023 at 8:45 pm
It’s Tuesday Aug. 29th. 8:35p.m and I live in Lakeland, Fl. Polk County and I haven’t gotten my food stamps early. And I have no food or water. You can’t trust in government but you can trust in our Heavenly Father “GOD”.
Thomas Beneventine
August 29, 2023 at 9:13 pm
This country has go way downhill under Joe Biden. Please, God! Bring Donald Trump back! He is the only one who can save this country.
Khali
August 30, 2023 at 10:23 am
I got a text saying my emergency EBT was deposited but no deposit was made.
rob
August 31, 2023 at 5:29 am
I got a text message to saying that. My EBT was deposited early and I haven’t even got Mine neither Thank God I have food but I feel so bad for the people that don’t have none special with kids and we need to get rid of Our President, he sucks. Is Elise and vacant this world coming to an end?
Dejon
August 31, 2023 at 9:27 am
Same here I received the text but no deposit
Shirley
September 1, 2023 at 2:24 pm
Shirley
September 1, 2023 at 2:19 pm
Biden does not administer SNAP benefits. Those come from the state which means that DeSantis is to blame for any problems.
Sativa
September 1, 2023 at 10:21 am
I’ve received the same text and none as well
Milliy
August 30, 2023 at 10:26 am
Agreed!
Brianna
August 30, 2023 at 10:31 am
I haven’t received my ebt early either !!!!! Got a text saying it was loaded, and it definitely isn’t! Seriously Florida is the ABSOLUTE WORST with helping its residents.
Kristin campos
September 3, 2023 at 12:14 pm
Omg I couldn’t agree more!! I’m disabled! What are my kids and I supposed to do,??? Florida is THE worst
L. Shelton
September 3, 2023 at 7:31 pm
I believe the 2nd batch will be on 3rd& 4th. I read it somewhere. They only sent up to the 14th….I am in the16-28th(?) On 3rd and 4th. Keep your fingers crossed….i read in article but can’t find it now. If not you can apply online for hurricane food help.
HotWifey
August 30, 2023 at 2:40 pm
Are you saying he is responsible for the hurricane? And you’d rather have a lying, scheming, pig who is in bed with Russia, and put us into further deficit because he only knows how to bankrupt, lead this country? No. Rather have Satan than some where mongering failure.
Briseis Connor
August 31, 2023 at 3:44 pm
Agreed 👍💯
Thomas Beneventine
August 29, 2023 at 9:16 pm
Arent we suppose to get full food stamp benefits during an emergency, such as this hurricane? We have in the past.
Milliy
August 30, 2023 at 10:14 am
Right! they only gave me $44 they haven’t corrected my FS amount either. I bet those illegal aliens have more stamps on their benefit cards than we do.
Isa
August 30, 2023 at 9:52 pm
Im sorry to inform you but illegal immigrants don’t receive any type of food stamps because they dont have no social however we as u.s citizen depends on a freaking Government to give us money to buy food when an illegal immigrant does not and i tell you this because im a citizen and my husband is an illegal immigrant and he will never wait for this government to give me any type of foodstamps to bring food to the table.
Pamela Alvarado
September 1, 2023 at 12:10 pm
Thank you for this. I’m a citizen and my husband is an illegal immigrant too. My husband works hard to put food on our table. The government doesn’t help us. We didn’t get stimulus money because he isn’t legal per say even though I am. People always want to talk ish about illegal immigrants. But they are the hardest working people and don’t ask for handouts (at least mine dont). My husband has worked hard for everything we have and I’m proud to be married to an illegal immigrant.
TraeC
September 1, 2023 at 3:43 pm
My daughter is married to a immigrant in the process of getting his papers. (Been married over 14 years! Takes forever) and even though she is a citizen she couldn’t get insurance when she was pregnant and ended up having her baby at home because of how expensive the hospital is! Immigrants don’t get the help that everyone thinks they do. Most of them work hard for their money. By the way, those complaining they didn’t get their ebt early is your regular date after the 14th of the month? They only released them early for those who get them from the 1st to the 14th. They figure the rest of us should still have some from August, which I do and I only get $147 a month.
Lil Tee
September 1, 2023 at 6:23 pm
Mine come at the end of the month an I had done my shopping only a week before it hit. It all defrosted from no power an no generator. I cooked up an refroze what I could but we will run out very early this month. I can go without but not my kids. I work hard also I just don’t make as much as it takes for raising 3 kids an if I did I wouldn’t be on state aid for sure. Bless you all
Kadijha lowe
August 29, 2023 at 9:21 pm
I didn’t receive any emergency stamps, I missed my recertification date as well me and my family are in need
Milliy
August 30, 2023 at 9:58 am
DCF didnt even give emergency stamps, just same amount they’ve already calculated early, which is concerning if your’e waiting for them to increase food stamp to amount. I hope it doesn’t take until October for DCF to adjust amounts for those of us in that made changes in the system or are waiting for discrepancies to be corrected.
Sarah Clark
August 29, 2023 at 10:02 pm
I just received a text message saying that I got next months food stamps early because of the hurricane but when I looked on my EBT app there was nothing on there, not that I would be able to go to the store to get any food or water before the hurricane hits because everything is already closed and I don’t have a vehicle to get any where’s. Wish they would have done something sooner for those that don’t have anything.
Patricia
August 29, 2023 at 10:37 pm
I live in Palm Coast Florida and got a text saying they sent my benefits early but as of 10:36 it’s not on my card? Why?
Kellie Jones
August 30, 2023 at 9:36 pm
I didn’t get my food stamps early cause of the hurricane coming August 2023 to Pasco county Florida
Mary hay
August 29, 2023 at 11:20 pm
I received a text saying I was supposed to get my food stamps early but from what I read only the people from the first through the 14th are receiving food stamps early. Everybody else is left to suffer apparently which is bad because you don’t know everyone’s case from what I’ve read a lot of people don’t have food and we’re about to have a huge hurricane hit us. If they’re gonna give people food stamps early while the ones from the first to the 14th, we should all get them early not just them people this is ridiculous they shouldn’t say just the first through the 14th. It should be everybody I even got a text message saying I was getting mine, but upon checking it, I did not get it. Florida needs to figure it out and don’t text people when they’re in a state of emergency saying you’re going to get your food stamps early when you’re not you guys know everybody’s emails and phone numbers so the ones that aren’t getting it should not have received emails or text messages.
Hillary Brown
August 30, 2023 at 10:11 am
I agree I got a text and immediately sighed in relief. Than upon checking my balance I didn’t qualify I guess since I get mine on the 15th. Which I don’t understand. People after the 14th food would perish as well with a power outage. I don’t understand if you do it for some you do it for everyone. It’s like they don’t care. I read they always do up to the 14th and send out a message which is cruel tbh in my opinion.
Stephen walker
August 30, 2023 at 12:56 am
We haven’t got ours I get them on the 16
Jdhidd
August 30, 2023 at 1:26 am
Was recertification process days before storm get my stamps on the 3rd of every month and have nothing …… never had probs before in the past they still released benefits recertification or not
Vanessa
August 30, 2023 at 2:05 am
I’m in one of the counties that is supposed to be receiving snap benefits early. I also received a text message saying “SNAP benefits have been realeased early due to the storm”. It sounded like the funds had already been released!! I checked and nothing was deposited. The text was received at 1020pm yesterday. I would’ve had time to stock up like the state is recommending. I found out that because my deposits are on the 18th of the month I don’t get my benefits early. Seems that DCF got a lot of hopes up. And that’s very wrong. Someone commented here that dcf knows all of our email addresses and phone numbers. That’s so true!!! dcf is not only unorganized but they also don’t care. Did I get anything saying they admit to the mistake and apologize for sending the wrong information? No. The bottom line is that It’s all about money.
That’s all they care about.
I hope all of you stay safe during this storm. And for those who didn’t get benefits please remember there are food banks that will open up a soon as tomorrow. Keep checking online to find out their locations.
Kassi
August 30, 2023 at 3:30 am
I recieved a text saying I received my benefits early but I called the card number and nothing is in there.
Tia
August 30, 2023 at 4:30 am
I think the only people who get early benefits are the ones who get stamps between the 1st through the 15th I don’t understand why they do this everytime we are in a state of emergency but that’s the government for you!!
Milliy
August 30, 2023 at 10:28 am
That’s true for me.
Crystal heim
August 30, 2023 at 8:14 am
I also got. Text last night saying that I’m getting my food stamps early and I just looked and have nothing this is sad especially when I’m on a feeding tube also and can eat certain things
T slover
August 30, 2023 at 8:30 am
I received a txt from DCF saying my FS would be deposited early due to storm… nothing as of this am
J
August 30, 2023 at 8:42 am
I filed at end of July and my case is still in the pending stage with no info. Please if anyone knows how to speed it up let me know thanks.
Kristin campos
September 3, 2023 at 12:17 pm
Call. That’s the best advice. Be the FIRST one that calls. Don’t be surprised if you have to wait but you’ll reach someone if you call and are one of the first.
Milly
August 30, 2023 at 9:51 am
I haven’t had income all Summer (Sub teacher) and my snap benefits still haven’t been corrected. I received $44. WTF?
Claire
August 30, 2023 at 11:23 am
I got a text saying food stamps were loaded on my card early due to hurricane. I am disabled but made my way to the Walmart with my walker a mile away. Got some can goods and stuff that would not go bad just to go pay and NO FOOD STAMPS ON MY CARD. !!! THANKS. I guess that’s a pretty funny joke to play on an old lady.
SUCK ME BALL SACK
August 30, 2023 at 4:41 pm
SHAME SHAME ON YOU BIDEN!!!! I GUESS HE MUST HAVE “FORGOTTEN” YOU KNOW DEMENTIA AND ALZHIMERS DOES THAT! 😂
Shirley
September 1, 2023 at 2:19 pm
Biden does not administer SNAP benefits. Those come from the state meaning that DeSantis is to blame for any problems.
Shana Wengland
August 30, 2023 at 12:55 pm
I got a text say we would get them early but I still haven’t I don’t get mine till the 24th
Tania
August 30, 2023 at 3:38 pm
Same here mines on the 23rd but received a text at like 10:30pm saying I would get them also.
Lulu
August 30, 2023 at 4:59 pm
I never received mines but it said on a text that it should be on the card
Rs
August 30, 2023 at 7:34 pm
Got the same message and yet nothing! Great help thanks gov.
Kellie Jones
August 30, 2023 at 9:14 pm
I have not got my food stamps early for the hurricane coming August 2023 to Pasco county Florida!!
Kelly K Smith
August 31, 2023 at 1:09 am
Me too, I love in Pasco and I got nothing.
Felicia Diaz
August 31, 2023 at 2:26 am
If you would have read very carefully people that get their stamps between the first and the 14th of the month receive food stamps anything beyond that with S. O. L. I think it’s unfair just of you those people help and not the rest of so.
Darlene
September 1, 2023 at 1:34 pm
I receive mine on the 8th. Got the text, and nothing was deposited. So the 1st to 14th was clearly a lie.
Kristin campos
September 3, 2023 at 12:19 pm
I totally wish that was true because my date is the 11th and I got nothing.
F off
August 31, 2023 at 3:29 am
No they don’t.
Katy
August 31, 2023 at 9:59 am
I got the text but haven’t received anything yet and it’s the 31st… I thought it was weird though that I recieved august 19th deposit on July 15th…. Wtf is going on…
Kaye B.
August 31, 2023 at 11:39 am
Been waiting two moths for my stamps n I have 6 kids! Somebody please help since they are taking their time . Cashapp $lachaiP.. God bless you
Angela Richardson
August 31, 2023 at 12:58 pm
I did receive my early food stamps just like they said!
Elicia ortiz
August 31, 2023 at 2:32 pm
Will this allow people to apply for food assistance from any food loss even if I don’t receive assistance?
Kimberly Gable
August 31, 2023 at 4:55 pm
I got a text to that said would have my food stamp to but I still don’t have them!
Kellie Jones
August 31, 2023 at 8:08 pm
Will I still get the Early food stamps if I had to be applied for my food stamps will I still get the food stamps from the hurricane in August 2023 I live in Pasco county Hudson Florida!! Like to know please!!
lindsay
August 31, 2023 at 9:08 pm
I got a notification saying that my food stamps were on the card due to Idalia but it is not true!
Gabriela alvarez
August 31, 2023 at 10:50 pm
I to got a text that stamp were sent out Tuesday and didn’t get anything in my card what’s going on or is it a scam
Kristin campos
September 3, 2023 at 12:18 pm
I got the same text and my date is the 11th and I don’t have anything.
Tina Wetzell
September 1, 2023 at 4:04 am
I never received anything from food stamps.
Jaime
September 1, 2023 at 9:15 am
My date is the 10th and I received the text but didn’t get the stamps on Tuesday it was Wednesday before I got them when it was too late to get anything all the stores were closing or out of stock. So now I’m not getting more until October 10th so I’m going to be really short on food in Sept because I’m usually at least a week short as it is
Kristin campos
September 3, 2023 at 12:11 pm
Same here. Mine was supposed to be on the 11th and ive got nothing
Louise T
September 1, 2023 at 10:34 am
I live in Palm Beach County so it doesn’t affect me. But I heard that if you’re getting food stamps and not working they are taking them away in October. Does anyone know if this applies to people that are age 60 and over? I was able to qualify since they didn’t have an asset test when I applied, only an income test.. I retired at 60 and have low income, but thought I had saved up enough so that I would have enough to live on until I could get social security. Didn’t plan on everything costing so much more now.
Kristin campos
September 3, 2023 at 12:10 pm
I live in a area that was impacted by Idalia and my SNAP benefits never came in, which were supposedly automatically updated in the system but mine never did. We are living on food banks right now. I’m disabled and cannot do things I used to do and now we have no food.
Bonnie Radwancky
September 5, 2023 at 1:43 pm
I live in Hillsborough county received the text that snap benefits was released early for September HOWEVER, I DID NOT ACTUALLY RECEIVE THEM SO WHATS UP? IS THIS JUST SO OUR GOVERNOR CAN TOUT HE HELPED?? I SEE NO HELP NOR ANY ASSISTANCE TO GAIN THE MEASURE THAT HAD SUPPOSEDLY BEEN DONE. So frustrating and wrong all around.
Maureen
September 10, 2023 at 11:31 am
Please, I lost my job in 2021 and never recommended unemployment benefit because the websites were being reorganized and never got any help. I still have all my screenshots of the malfunctioning website that went on for months and months until the fiscal year closed.
Then DiSantis gives my unemployment money to Texas to transport their migrants???
Meanwhile a 62 year old is never paid the unemployment support I needed so now I’m in credit card debt trying to pay for my medical, housing, transportation and food with no relief in sight.
That is how I see it. Now emergency food replacement and SNAP benefits delayed and malfunctioning website again. Intentional malfunction of websites while bragging about being fiscally responsible to Floridians. He is playing the national stage and neglecting his fiduciary responsibilities to Floridians.
L Shelton
September 11, 2023 at 3:22 am
I feel ya girl! It’s like the more we give the.more politicians take or change. This green economy expense is for the birds. Just some of it. We are being told what to do and it’s getting when the benefits aren’t for you but other illegal immigrants. Thousands of $ in waste trashed when it can be used for other resources. Like this new lab chicken. Dont want. We are test tubes of everything. DNA, genealogy, fingerprints, body Mark’s, blood types, etc. Keep trying, don’t give up. Now is a good time based on age, salary or income. I know it’s hard. Don’t let anyone step in front of you for your legal rights!!!
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