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Update on SNAP Benefits in Louisiana

Please share official information with your networks

January 16, 2019

BATON ROUGE, LA — Monday, we announced that most Louisiana SNAP recipients will receive their February benefits early - on or before Jan. 20 - as a result of the partial federal government shutdown.

Every state is handling the early issuance differently, in accordance with their own procedures, schedule and client considerations. Unfortunately, we are seeing some misinformation about Louisiana SNAP benefits as a result of people sharing information from other states.

All official information about Louisiana SNAP benefits will be posted on the DCFS website at www.dcfs.la.gov and will be shared on the department's Facebook page and Twitter account.

We are also reaching out to our partners to help us spread word of official information and updates. A flyer we created for this purpose can be downloaded at www.dcfs.la.gov/snapshutdownflyer. Please share the flyer and our updates with your networks.

It is important that SNAP clients understand:

These are early benefits for February, not extra benefits, and should be budgeted carefully to last into March.
We are continuing to process both new applications and cases that have pending annual or semi-annual reviews.
Clients with pending reviews need to keep their cases current and on track - by not missing scheduled interviews and by turning in all requested documents as soon as possible.
Anyone with a food need should apply for benefits as soon as possible.

Cases certified after Jan. 14 as eligible for February benefits will be processed according to the regular schedule.

The federal government has alerted states that they can issue benefits until federal funds are no longer available; it is unclear from the federal government when that will occur. Any benefits approved after federal funding runs out will be in a suspended status until states receive more information from the federal government about the shutdown's impact on program funding.

For additional information and answers to frequently asked questions, visit www.dcfs.la.gov/snap2019faqs.

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SNAP Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.