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Newsroom
Replacement SNAP Benefits Approved for 6 Parishes Following Hurricane Zeta
November 02, 2020
11.2.2020 - Recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in 6 Southeast Louisiana parishes will receive automatic 25% replacement benefits due to widespread power outages from Hurricane Zeta, following a waiver approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
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.
DSNAP Approved for 5 Louisiana Parishes Hit by Hurricane Delta
October 23, 2020
10.23.20 - DCFS received federal approval to begin virtual DSNAP operations in 5 parishes impacted by Hurricane Delta and to issue 45% automatic SNAP and DSNAP replacement benefits to recipients in certain parishes due to widespread power outages following the storm.
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.
Federal Cost-of-Living Adjustments Increase SNAP Benefits
October 01, 2020
10.1.2020 - The USDA's new cost-of-living adjustments for SNAP that go into effect today, Oct. 1, 2020, will mean an increase in benefits for most Louisiana families, while allowing others who may not have been eligible to begin receiving assistance. DCFS also is issuing October benefits early - on Oct. 1 for all current recipients, instead of staggered on the 1st through 14th - due to continuing effects of Hurricane Laura.
Last Day to Apply for DSNAP is Wednesday, Sept. 23
September 22, 2020
Wednesday, Sept. 23, is the last day to apply for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) benefits for residents of 21 parishes affected by Hurricane Laura.
Louisiana Families Have One Week Remaining to Apply for Benefits from School Meals Missed when Campuses Closed In 2019-2020
September 22, 2020
BATON ROUGE, La. -- Louisiana families have one more week to apply for financial benefits from free and reduced-price school meals missed when schools closed in 2019-20 due to the pandemic.
New DSNAP Schedule! Residents May Apply Any Day through Sept. 23
September 20, 2020
Residents in all 21 parishes approved for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) benefits may apply for benefits any day, today through Wednesday (Sept. 23), regardless of last name, following a change in the DSNAP application schedule.
DSNAP Pre-Registration Help Available this Saturday
September 18, 2020
The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) LAHelpU Customer Service Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday (Sept. 19) to help residents pre-register for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) benefits.
DSNAP Approved for 3 More Parishes; Phase 1 Extended
September 16, 2020
DCFS has received federal approval to operate DSNAP in three more parishes - Caddo, LaSalle and St. Landry - and will add those parishes to the Phase 2 schedule, which begins Sept. 17. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) also approved DCFS's request to extend Phase 1 for another week, until Sept. 23, allowing residents impacted by Hurricane Laura in the nine Phase 1 parishes additional time to apply for DSNAP benefits.