SNAP Updates

• SNAP recipients in 18 parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida have received federal approval for automatic replacement benefits due to widespread power outages:

• These recipients will receive 55% of their regular monthly allotment as replacements.
• The benefits will be automatically loaded onto recipients’ SNAP EBT cards by September 11, 2021.

SNAP recipients in other parishes who lost food purchased with SNAP benefits due to a power outage of 24 straight hours or more can request replacement benefits by submitting a completed and signed SNAP 38 form to DCFS.

• SNAP clients may need to provide documentation from their utility company verifying their power outage. This can take time, so residents are advised to request their documentation as soon as possible.
• The deadline for requesting replacements due to Hurricane Ida is September 28, 2021.

In response to the pandemic, DCFS has received federal approval to issue supplemental SNAP benefits for September 2021.

SNAP Recipients not Already at Max

• Will receive a supplement to bring them to the max. 
• Max amounts less than $95 will be boosted to $95.

SNAP Recipients Already at Max

• Will receive a $95 supplement.

For current SNAP recipients, all supplemental allotments are scheduled to be loaded onto EBT cards on Saturday, September 4. Those who have applied for SNAP, but aren't yet certified as eligible to receive benefits, will have supplements loaded onto their cards on a rolling weekly basis after their applications are approved.

Manage your SNAP EBT card account with the LifeInCheck mobile app.

As a result of recent COVID relief measures passed by the U.S. Congress, SNAP benefits are increasing up to 15% through September. 

• 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 through September 2021.
• 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.

• All SNAP Interviews Suspended September 1 through November 30, 2021.  This includes interviews for new SNAP applications, simplified reports and annual redeterminations. This also includes out LaCAP, FITAP and KCSP programs.

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

• SNAP Simplified Reports Resume and Redeterminations in December 2021. Due to Hurricane Ida, Louisiana has received a three-month waiver to eliminate Simplified Reports and Redeterminations for all recipients for the months of September, October, and November.  Redeterminations and Simplified Reports will resume effective December. Households whose simplified reports or redeterminations are due in December will receive a letter from DCFS in late November.

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