It is difficult to reach anyone to speak to at the ESS (Economic Self Sufficiency) office of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) at 850-300-4323, which handles Food Assistance and Medicaid.  Their website states that agents are available from 7 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday, so perhaps you could reach them more easily during the early morning or later evening hours.

https://myflfamilies.com/contact-us
Phone: (850) 300-4323
Available 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday-Friday

Public Benefits and Services
Office of Economic Self-Sufficiency Mail Center
P.O. Box 1770
Ocala, FL 34478-1770
Fax: 1-866-886-4342

Since DCF no longer has a physical location in Bradenton, they have enlisted the help of Community Partners.  

These agencies are both listed as DCF Community Partners on the state website, and they may be easier to reach:

• Turning Points:  941-747-1509; 701 17^th Ave. W., Bradenton.
• North River Care Inc.:  941-729-9004; 1020 10th Ave. West Suite 100, Palmetto.  (By appointment only; open Monday-Thursday.)  

In addition, you can reach out to them through their website: https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/.

Other contact information (obtained from the DCF website):

Central FAX: 1-866-886-4342

or

Physical location (Sarasota)

Sarasota One Stop Service Center
1864 17th Street

Sarasota Florida 34234

877-595-0384

Sarasota office FAX: 941-316-8100

• For Medicaid application assistance only – (not food stamps): contact these MCR Health locations – (ask for the Financial Counselors listed below.)