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Press Releases
Disaster Food Stamp Program Has Now Helped 204,629 Families
September 18, 2008
09.18.08 - The Department of Children & Family Services reported today that 204,629 eligible households have been provided federal Disaster Food Stamp Program benefits and issued cards with more than $80 million in benefits.
Department of Children & Family Services Announces Site Changes for Disaster Food Stamp Program
September 18, 2008
09.18.08 - The Department of Children & Family Services announced the relocation of sites available to accept disaster food stamp application. As DSS nears the close of its second week of operation, some local agencies have requested that sites be moved due to scheduling conflicts. The Department has worked to develop as smooth a transition as possible between sites, coordinating efforts between staff, volunteers, local authorities and contractors.
DSS Prepares to Extend Disaster Food Stamp Program to Residents Impacted by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike Department
September 17, 2008
09.17.08 - The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services has submitted a request to the USDA for approval to expand the parishes eligible for Gustav disaster food stamps. With federal approval Washington and Franklin parishes would be granted Gustav benefits. Both parishes meet the FEMA Individual Assistance (IA) requirement. Including newly eligible parishes, DSS estimates that 396,000 families are eligible for these benefits as a result of Hurricane Gustav.
DSS Addresses Computer Error Affecting Some Food Stamp Electronic Benefit Cards
September 16, 2008
09.16.08 - Today, the Department of Children & Family Services announced that a computer program error in the disaster food stamp processing system, which caused an estimated 22,000 applicants to erroneously receive duplicate benefits, has been corrected and measures have been put in place to prevent future system errors and also increase DSS staff to speed up the processing of the applications and the uploading of benefits onto electronic benefit cards.
Susan W. Sonnier Appointed Deputy Secretary of Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services
September 16, 2008
09.16.08 - Interim Secretary for the Department of Children & Family Services Kristy Nichols has appointed Susan W. Sonnier as her Deputy Secretary. This comes after the resignation of Terri Porche Ricks who has served at DSS for the past five years.
Department of Children & Family Services Opening Three More Disaster Food Stamp Sites
September 15, 2008
09.15.08 - The Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) will have 44 sites in operation on Tuesday, September 16th where eligible Louisiana residents affected by Hurricane Gustav can apply for the federal Disaster Food Stamp Program.
Federal waiver applies to those that received three pay checks during eligibility period
September 15, 2008
09.15.08 - As of 3 p.m. today, more than 255,000 Disaster Food Stamp applications have been processed by the Department of Children & Family Services. Nearly 30,000 of those were taken today. This comes on the day the USDA Food and Nutrition Services approved Louisiana’s request to give some individuals and families a second opportunity to apply for benefits after they were determined ineligible to receive Federal Disaster Food Stamps.
DSS Reopens Disaster Food Stamp Site in Lafourche Parish ahead of Schedule to Meet Public Need
September 14, 2008
09.14.08 - In an effort to meet the needs of families in Lafourche Parish following hurricanes Gustav and Ike, the Department of Children & Family Services has worked tirelessly to reopen the Disaster Food Stamp application site at Peltier Park in Thibodaux.
Department of Children & Family Services to Operate 41 Disaster Food Stamp Program sites on Monday, Sept. 15th
September 14, 2008
09.14.08 - The Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) has taken more than 194,000 applications for Disaster Food Stamps in less than a week and will have 41 sites in operation on Monday, Sept. 15th where eligible Louisiana residents affected by Hurricane Gustav can apply for the federal Disaster Food Stamp Program.
Hurricane Ike: DSS Provides Comprehensive Response
September 13, 2008
09.13.08 - As part of its comprehensive response to hurricanes Gustav and Ike, the Department of Children & Family Services has provided life-saving services to hundreds of thousands of Louisiana citizens and distributed millions of dollars in recovery benefits.