Disaster FAQs

disasterfaqs

Hurricane Francine Update

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) received federal approval on September 20, 2024, for multiple forms of disaster food assistance for Hurricane Francine-affected families. USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) authorized Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) operations in 8 parishes, automatic SNAP replacement benefits for 4 parishes, and automatic SNAP supplements for 6 parishes. A second approval for DSNAP operations in Jefferson Parish was authorized to operate October 2-8, 2024. Visit our DSNAP page for more information.

emergencybenefits

Emergency Benefits
Will I receive disaster food assistance?
A disaster can trigger issuance of a few different kinds of "emergency" SNAP benefits. Those are: Replacement SNAP - If you are a current SNAP recipient and lose food purchased with your SNAP benefits due to a power outage of at least 24 hours or some other household misfortune, you can apply for replacement SNAP benefits. Supplemental SNAP - If you are a current SNAP recipient not receiving the maximum monthly allotment, you may be eligible for supplemental SNAP benefits if a DSNAP is approved for your parish (see DSNAP info below). Disaster SNAP, or DSNAP - If there is a federally declared disaster in which the President authorizes Individual Assistance for your parish, and the parish and state request DSNAP and are approved for DSNAP, you may apply for DSNAP benefits. Current SNAP recipients are not eligible for DSNAP and should not apply.

Emergency Benefits

Will I receive disaster food assistance?

A disaster can trigger issuance of a few different kinds of "emergency" SNAP benefits. Those are:

Replacement SNAP - If you are a current SNAP recipient and lose food purchased with your SNAP benefits due to a power outage of at least 24 hours or some other household misfortune, you can apply for replacement SNAP benefits.
Supplemental SNAP - If you are a current SNAP recipient not receiving the maximum monthly allotment, you may be eligible for supplemental SNAP benefits if a DSNAP is approved for your parish (see DSNAP info below).
Disaster SNAP, or DSNAP - If there is a federally declared disaster in which the President authorizes Individual Assistance for your parish, and the parish and state request DSNAP and are approved for DSNAP, you may apply for DSNAP benefits. Current SNAP recipients are not eligible for DSNAP and should not apply.

dsnap

DSNAP
Are DSNAP benefits available?
If DSNAP benefits are available, more information will be posted on the DSNAP webpage. Impacted residents would apply for DSNAP benefits only after the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) approves Louisiana to operate DSNAP in a disaster area. For this to happen, (1) the President must declare Individual Assistance (IA) for the disaster area, (2) the state must request FNS approval to operate DSNAP, and (3) the affected parish(es) must each receive IA from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be eligible to operate DSNAP in the parish.
If I already receive SNAP benefits, do I need to apply for DSNAP?
No, current SNAP recipients are not eligible for DSNAP and do not need to complete a DSNAP application.

lostebt

Lost EBT
What do I do if I lose my SNAP EBT card?
Residents who lose their regular SNAP EBT should contact the EBT Call Center at 1-888-997-1117 to deactivate the lost card. To request a new card, contact the DCFS Customer Serice Center (888-524-3578; LAHelpU.dcfs@la.gov) or visit a parish office.
What do I do if I lose my DSNAP EBT card?
Residents who lose their DSNAP EBT card should contact the EBT Call Center at 1-888-997-1117 to deactivate the lost card. To request a new card, contact the DCFS Customer Serice Center (888-524-3578; LAHelpU.dcfs@la.gov) or visit a parish office.

Disaster FAQs

Emergency Benefits

DSNAP

Lost EBT