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DCFS Releases Federal Monthly Income Guidelines for DSNAP

September 05, 2012

09.05.12 - The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) today released federal guidelines in use for the state's Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) following Hurricane Isaac.

The formula adds together monthly household income, as well as liquid resources like checking and savings accounts. It then subtracts unreimbursed disaster-related expenses to arrive at an adjusted gross monthly income. The upper limit of adjusted gross monthly income differs based on family size.

Household Size	Disaster Gross Monthly Income Limit
1	$1,514
2	$1,823
3	$2,151
4	$2,477
5	$2,821
6	$3,167

On average, a family of four can have an adjusted gross monthly income of no more than $2,477 to be eligible for DSNAP.

Unreimbursed disaster-related expenses might include things like evacuation costs, such as a hotel stay, purchase of a generator, cost of rebuilding a fence or repairs to a home. Federal guidelines state that the expense must be paid within the benefit period, which for Hurricane Isaac is August 26 through September 24.

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.

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* This page has been updated since release with updated limits.