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Federal Cost-of-Living Adjustments Increase SNAP Benefits

October 01, 2020

10.1.2020 - The USDA's new cost-of-living adjustments for SNAP that go into effect today, Oct. 1, 2020, will mean an increase in benefits for most Louisiana families, while allowing others who may not have been eligible to begin receiving assistance. DCFS also is issuing October benefits early - on Oct. 1 for all current recipients, instead of staggered on the 1st through 14th - due to continuing effects of Hurricane Laura.

Last Day to Apply for DSNAP is Wednesday, Sept. 23

September 22, 2020

Wednesday, Sept. 23, is the last day to apply for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) benefits for residents of 21 parishes affected by Hurricane Laura.

New DSNAP Schedule! Residents May Apply Any Day through Sept. 23

September 20, 2020

Residents in all 21 parishes approved for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) benefits may apply for benefits any day, today through Wednesday (Sept. 23), regardless of last name, following a change in the DSNAP application schedule.

DSNAP Pre-Registration Help Available this Saturday

September 18, 2020

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) LAHelpU Customer Service Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday (Sept. 19) to help residents pre-register for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) benefits.

DSNAP Approved for 3 More Parishes; Phase 1 Extended

September 16, 2020

DCFS has received federal approval to operate DSNAP in three more parishes - Caddo, LaSalle and St. Landry - and will add those parishes to the Phase 2 schedule, which begins Sept. 17. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) also approved DCFS's request to extend Phase 1 for another week, until Sept. 23, allowing residents impacted by Hurricane Laura in the nine Phase 1 parishes additional time to apply for DSNAP benefits.

DSNAP A-Z Days for Phase 1 are Tuesday, Wednesday (Sept. 15 & 16)

September 14, 2020

09.14.2020 - Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 15 and 16, will be open application days for anyone in a DSNAP Phase 1 parish, regardless of last name.

DSNAP Approved for 2 More Parishes

September 11, 2020

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) received approval today to operate a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) in Union and Morehouse parishes, after they were federally approved to receive Individual Assistance due to damages sustained from Hurricane Laura. Both parishes will be added to Phase 2 of the DSNAP operations.

DSNAP Approved for 16 Louisiana Parishes

September 08, 2020

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) received approval today to begin virtual Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) operations in sixteen parishes to provide additional food aid to families impacted by Hurricane Laura. The program will run in phases, with the first phase beginning Thursday, Sept. 10.

Louisiana Receives Waiver to Allow Purchase of "Hot Foods" with SNAP Benefits

September 04, 2020

Louisiana participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can use their benefits to purchase "hot" or prepared foods from authorized SNAP retailers during the month of September, following waiver approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).

Phone Line Set Up for Families Trying to Locate Laura Survivors in State-Provided Hotel Rooms

August 31, 2020

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is launching "Connect," a way for families to locate loved ones who evacuated from Hurricane Laura to state-provided hotel rooms.