SNAP Updates

• DCFS received approval to issue automatic 45% replacement benefits to SNAP recipients in Avoyelles, Red River and Sabine parishes, after the Public Service Commission confirmed that at least 50% of residents in those parishes were without power for 24+ hours due to the ice storms.

• These automatic replacement benefits will be available on Saturday, February 27.

• SNAP recipients in other parishes who lost power for 24+ hours and lost food bought with SNAP benefits may request replacement benefits for their food loss.

• You may be required to provide proof from your power company that your power outage was at least 24 hours.
• The deadline to request replacement benefits has been extended to March 10.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, DCFS received federal approval to issue supplemental SNAP benefits for March to bring families to the maximum benefit for their household if they were not already receiving the max amount. Emergency allotments were scheduled to be issued on Friday, March 5.

In December, DCFS began a three-month process of transitioning its SNAP benefits schedule to distribute benefits more evenly throughout each month. Rather than receiving benefits during the 1^st through 14^th, SNAP households will now receive them between the 1^st and 23^rd of each month.

The new regular schedule, which goes into effect in February 2021, will allow for more even stocking and staffing at grocery stores and more consistent access to a variety of foods for shoppers, as households typically do their shopping on or shortly after the day their benefits are issued. 

See the new schedule, along with examples that help explain what it means for you: http://dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/snap-updates-issuance-schedule-changes

The federal Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2021, signed by President Trump on Dec. 27, 2020, includes a temporary, six-month increase in SNAP benefits due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic.

• Maximum allotments will increase by roughly 15%, and the minimum allotment will increase from $16 to $19.

• New allotment amounts can be viewed here: 
  dcfs.la.gov/page/snap-allotment-amounts.

• The temporary increase will be in effect from January through June of 2021.
• January’s increase will be issued on Friday, January 8^th.
• For February through June, the additional benefits will be issued along with each household’s regular issuance amount on their regularly-scheduled issuance date.

• More about issuance dates here:
  dcfs.la.gov/page/snap-updates-issuance-schedule-changes.

• The $300 boost in federal pandemic unemployment benefits will NOT be counted as income or resources in determining SNAP eligibility.

• This is different than the 1st round, under the CARES Act that passed last spring.
• State unemployment benefits will still be counted in determining SNAP eligibility.

• The $600 stimulus checks also won’t be counted as income or resources. Same as under the CARES Act.
• College students enrolled at least half-time and either have an expected parental contribution of $0 or are eligible for work-study are now eligible for SNAP.

• Before, $0 parental contribution was not enough for automatic eligibility.
• Students should be prepared to provide their FAFSA paperwork or proof of eligibility for work-study when applying for SNAP.

This fall, DCFS has been operating under federal waivers to allow staff to focus on additional applications associated with hurricanes and the pandemic. Some of these waivers will continue in 2021. Others will come to a close, as follows:

• All SNAP Interviews Suspended Through June 30, 2021. DCFS will not conduct formal SNAP interviews until at least July 1, 2021. This includes interviews for new SNAP applications, simplified reports and annual redeterminations.

• “No interviews” doesn’t mean automatic SNAP approval. To be considered for SNAP, you must first fully complete your application! DCFS staff cannot determine SNAP eligibility unless they have all the information they need to process an application. It’s important for you to include all income and resource information and respond quickly to any questions. If staff need more, they will contact you. Any missing information will affect your eligibility and lengthen the time it takes to approve your application.

• SNAP Simplified Reports Resume in January 2021. After a three-month extension, SNAP simplified reports will resume in January. SNAP families whose simplified reports are due in January will receive a letter from DCFS in late December.
• SNAP Redeterminations (Annual Recertifications) Resume in February 2021. Annual SNAP redeterminations begin again in February. DCFS will send letters in January to anyone who is scheduled for a February redetermination.

211 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their community.

It's single access point for details about food pantries and other food assistance sources near you.

Learn more about the 211 Louisiana Statewide Network