Covid-19 State Feed

Third Round of Pandemic EBT Benefits Coming to Eligible Louisiana Children

February 15, 2022

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) have received approval from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to distribute a third round of Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits to eligible students.

DCFS Encouraging Parents to Sign Up for Free or Reduced-Price Lunches before July 30 to be Eligible for Summer P-EBT

July 19, 2021

In anticipation of federal approval of Louisiana's Summer Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the Louisiana Department of Education are asking parents who qualify for, but do not currently receive, free or reduced-price lunches to apply for those benefits with their schools or school districts by Friday, July 30, 2021.

SNAP Benefits Increasing Temporarily Due to COVID, Starting Jan. 8

January 07, 2021

01.07.2021 - SNAP recipients will see an increase in their benefits for the first six months of 2021, following passage of the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act. The legislation may also make more Louisianans eligible for SNAP by excluding federal unemployment benefits and stimulus checks from consideration as income and by expanding student eligibility.

Louisiana Responds to Unprecedented Food Need in 2020

December 22, 2020

12.22.2020 - Louisiana responded to an unprecedented food need in 2020, a tumultuous year marked by the coronavirus pandemic and three hurricanes that made landfall in the state.

SNAP Emergency Allotments, Hot Foods Waiver Extension Approved for November

October 29, 2020

Louisiana SNAP recipients who do not already receive the maximum amount for their household size will receive emergency allotments for November bringing them to the max, following a waiver approval from USDA Food and Nutrition Service. FNS also approved Louisiana's request to extend the "hot foods" waiver through Nov. 30, 2020. November will be the ninth straight month emergency allotments have been issued in Louisiana due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Louisiana Receives Extension on "Hot Foods" Waiver for Use of SNAP/DSNAP Benefits through Oct. 31

October 02, 2020

Louisiana participants in SNAP and DSNAP can use their benefits to purchase hot or prepared foods from authorized SNAP retailers in Louisiana throughout the month of October, following a waiver extension approval from the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. FNS also approved DCFS's request to provide emergency supplements for SNAP recipients in October due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The supplements are scheduled to be issued Oct. 16.

Supplemental SNAP Benefits, Other Changes Approved for August

July 30, 2020

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a number of waivers that will be important to SNAP clients as they continue to navigate the pandemic crisis.

Supplemental SNAP Benefits, Other Changes Approved for August

July 28, 2020

07.28.2020 - Louisiana recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits who are not already receiving the maximum amount for their household size will receive supplements in August to bring them up to the max. This is the sixth consecutive month Louisiana SNAP recipients have been approved for added benefits as part of federal COVID-19 relief.

P-EBT Cards Arriving in Plain White Envelopes; Don't Toss!

June 10, 2020

As the first round of Louisiana Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) cards arrive this week, recipients should be on alert for plain white envelopes with an Austin, Texas, return address.

Louisiana Extends P-EBT Application Deadline to June 15, Announces Slight Delay in Some Mailed Benefits

June 08, 2020

06.08.2020 - The Louisiana Department of Education and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) today announced the deadline for families to apply for the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program has been extended one week, from June 8 to June 15.