Louisiana Receives Extension on "Hot Foods" Waiver for Use of SNAP/DSNAP Benefits through Oct. 31

BATON ROUGE - Louisiana participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (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 U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).

FNS also approved the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services' (DCFS) request to provide emergency supplements for SNAP recipients in October due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The emergency allotments, scheduled to be issued Oct. 16, will bring families not already receiving the maximum by household size to the max for the eighth consecutive month. Current SNAP recipients received their regular allotments for the month early - on Oct. 1.

FNS had previously approved a "hot foods" waiver through October 1. The extension, approved late Wednesday, will allow SNAP and DSNAP recipients to continue to use their benefits through October 31 to buy prepared foods at any Louisiana retailer that accepts SNAP EBT cards. Restaurant purchases are not allowed.

Normally, SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase "hot food products prepared for immediate consumption." Waiving that restriction is vital in the immediate aftermath of a storm such as Hurricane Laura, where many residents are displaced and cannot access a kitchen to prepare their meals.

More information about the "hot foods" waiver can be found at www.dcfs.la.gov/hotfoods.

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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.