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DCFS Extends 1-888-LAHELP-U Hours to 24/7 Due to DSNAP High Call Volume

September 04, 2012

09.04.12 - In order to manage an unusually high volume, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is extending hours for the agency's customer call center, 1-888-LAHELP-U (1-888-524-3578), to 24 hours a day, seven days per week for the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

DCFS' call center provides information and pre-application services for DSNAP through the hotline.  To pre-apply, residents can call the hotline and select their language and then options 3 and 3 from the menu. Online pre-application is available at www.dcfs.la.gov/preapply or www.getagameplan.org.

The unusually high call volume is a result of the impact of Hurricane Isaac, which prompted a request and subsequent approval by the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service of DSNAP in nine parishes: Ascension, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. John the Baptist and St. Tammany.

In the last 24 hours, DCFS has received more than 26,493 pre-applications.

DSNAP is administered in Louisiana by DCFS and overseen by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Read more about recipients' rights.