Press Releases

Louisiana Increases Foster Care Board Rate for First Time Since 2007

July 28, 2021

07.28.2021 - For the first time in more than a decade, Louisiana's foster caregivers will receive an increase in the monthly board rate that provides financial support for the care of children and youth in the State's custody.

Summer P-EBT Coming Soon to Louisiana K-12 Students

July 27, 2021

07.27.2021 - DCFS received federal approval to extend the state's P-EBT program to cover the summer months.

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.

DSNAP Approved for Certain ZIP Codes in Five Parishes Affected by May Flooding

June 17, 2021

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) received federal approval to begin virtual Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) operations for impacted ZIP codes of five parishes affected by severe storms, flooding and tornadoes on May 17-21, 2021. The DSNAP applications for those impacted will be accepted from Monday, June 21, to Friday, June 25, 2021.

Make pre-registering for DSNAP or updating DSNAP pre-registration part of hurricane preparedness game plan

June 01, 2021

As the 2021 hurricane season begins, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) encourages residents to prepare by pre-registering online for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) benefits or updating their information, if necessary.

Second Round of Pandemic EBT Benefits Coming to Eligible Louisiana Children

May 11, 2021

5.11.2021 - DCFS has received federal approval to distribute a second round of Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits to eligible families. P-EBT benefits will start rolling out in the summer to qualifying households with children in grades K-12 (including pre-K students in public and some private schools).

DSNAP Approved for 23 Parishes Affected by Winter Storms

March 30, 2021

3.30.2021 - DCFS has received federal approval to begin virtual DSNAP operations in 23 parishes severely affected by the winter storms on Feb. 15-18, 2021. The application process will run in two phases.

DSNAP Approved for 6 Parishes Hit by Hurricane Zeta

January 27, 2021

DCFS received federal approval to begin virtual Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) operations in 6 parishes to provide additional food aid to families affected by Hurricane Zeta. The application process will run in a single phase from Monday, Feb. 1, to Sunday, Feb. 7.

DSNAP Approved for Allen, Iberia Parishes Due to Hurricane Delta

January 15, 2021

01.15.2021 - DCFS received approval Thursday, Jan. 14, to begin virtual DSNAP operations for Allen and Iberia parishes due to damages sustained from Hurricane Delta. The application window will be open from Tuesday, Jan. 19, through Friday, Jan. 22.

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.