DSNAP, SNAP replacements and supplements approved for eight Hurricane Francine-affected parishes

BATON ROUGE, La. (WVUE) - The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has received federal approval for disaster food assistance programs in response to Hurricane Francine.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has authorized the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) for eight parishes, automatic SNAP replacement benefits for four parishes, and SNAP supplements for six parishes.

DSNAP interviews will begin on Sept. 25 for residents in St. CharlesSt. James, St. John the BaptistSt. Mary, and parishes.

DSNAP is available to households that are not currently receiving SNAP benefits and have experienced disaster-related income losses or property damage.

Eligible residents must apply by phone according to a schedule based on the first letter of their last name:

Wednesday, Sept. 25: A-G

Thursday, Sept. 26: H-M

Friday, Sept. 27: N-Z

Monday, Sept. 30: Open to all

Tuesday, Oct. 1: Open to all

Applicants can call the LAHelpU Customer Service Center at 1-888-LAHELPU (1-888-524-3578) from 8 a.m. to p.m. on their designated day.

Vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and disabled, who cannot apply by phone, may apply in person at selected DCFS offices or community-based organizations in the affected parishes.

Current SNAP recipients are not eligible for DSNAP but may qualify for replacement or supplemental benefits.

Automatic SNAP replacements of 40 percent of September benefits will be provided to recipients in Assumption, Lafourche, St. Mary, and Terrebonne parishes. These replacements will be issued to recipients' Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards by Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.

Residents in 16 other parishes, including Orleans, Jefferson, and Livingston, have until Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, to apply for SNAP replacements if they experienced food losses due to power outages lasting 24 hours or more. Those in parishes not covered by the automatic replacements must submit a SNAP 38 form to claim benefits.

Deadline for Assumption, Lafourche, St. Mary, and Terrebonne Parishes: Sept. 30

Deadline for 16 Additional Parishes (including Orleans, Jefferson, Livingston): Sept. 30

Deadline for All Other Parishes: Sept. 23

SNAP supplements will be automatically provided to recipients in Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary, and Terrebonne parishes to bring their benefits up to the maximum monthly amount for their household size. Households in St. James and St. Charles parishes must apply for these supplemental benefits.

SNAP recipients in St. James and St. Charles can apply online, by mail, or in person to receive these supplemental benefits.

Vulnerable individuals unable to apply by phone for DSNAP can apply in person at selected DCFS offices and community-based organizations. The following locations are available for in-person applications:

Ascension Parish: DCFS Ascension Economic Stability office, Gonzales

Assumption Parish: Bella Rose Branch Library, Belle Rose

Lafourche Parish: DCFS Lafourche Child Welfare office, Thibodaux

St. Charles Parish: Alan Arterbury Building, New Sarpy

St. James Parish: Vacherie Branch Library, Vacherie

St. John Parish: Let's Work! River Parishes - LaPlace Office, LaPlace

St. Mary Parish: DCFS St. Mary Child Welfare office, Franklin

Terrebonne Parish: DCFS Terrebonne Economic Stability office, Houma

Residents can contact the LAHelpU Customer Service Center or visit the DCFS website for more information on DSNAP, SNAP replacements, or supplements.