DCFS Encouraging Parents to Sign Up for Free or Reduced-Price Lunches before July 30 to be Eligible for Summer P-EBT

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.

Students who are already receiving free or reduced-priced lunches do not need to apply. This includes any student in a school that provides free meals to all students (under a special rule called “Community Eligibility Provision”). This program only applies to students who receive free or reduced-price lunch under the National School Lunch Program or because they attend a CEP school.

DCFS expects to provide more information about the Summer P-EBT program and the P-EBT program for 0-5 age students on SNAP when those programs are approved.

To date, DCFS has issued approximately $192.2 million in P-EBT benefits for 515,624 students for the months of August 2020-January 2021. The third payment, covering February-May 2021, is scheduled to begin loading onto cards on August 4.

More information about P-EBT is available at www.pebt-la.org.

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SNAP Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.