The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) will be run in eight parishes by the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Also, in four parishes, SNAP benefits will be replaced automatically, and in six parishes, extras will be added automatically.
It’s important to know that people who already get help from SNAP can’t get DSNAP because it’s only for people who have never gotten help before.
Details about the SNAP program
DSNAP helps people who live in Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, and Terrebonne parishes. The goal of this program is to help people who weren’t on SNAP before the disaster but need help now because they lost their jobs or food.
DSNAP interviews will start on Wednesday. People who live in the accepted parishes should call the LAHelpU Customer Service Center at 1-888-LAHELPU (1-888-524-3578) on the day that is based on the first letter of their last name:
- Wednesday, September 25 – Last names A to G
- Thursday, September 26 – Last names H to M
- Friday, September 27 – Last names N to Z
- Monday, September 30 – Open to all
- Tuesday, October 1 – Open to all
Their business is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Once you’ve chosen a language, press 6 and then 1 to start the process.
Options for vulnerable groups
Seniors, people with disabilities, and others who can’t apply for DSNAP over the phone will be able to do so in person at a number of DCFS offices or community groups in the affected towns. Here are the addresses and hours of operation for these help centers:
- Ascension Parish: Ascension Economic Stability Office (1078 E Worthy St., Gonzales), Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Assumption Parish: Belle Rose Library (7089 Highway 1, Belle Rose), Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Lafourche Parish: Lafourche Child Welfare Office (1416 Tiger Drive, Thibodaux), Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
- St. Charles Parish: Alan Arterbury Building (14564 River Road, New Sarpy), Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
- St. James Parish: Vacherie Library (2593 Highway 20), Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- St. John Parish: Let’s Work! River Parishes Office (1708 Chantilly Drive, Suite A, LaPlace), Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
- St. Mary Parish: St. Mary Child Welfare Office (604 2nd St., Franklin), Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Terrebonne Parish: Terrebonne Economic Stability Office (1012 W. Tunnel Blvd., Houma), Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Language assistance and verification of information
Translation services will be open for anyone who needs them during the application process. DCFS workers will check the applicant’s name, address, and any costs connected to the disaster that happened between September 9 and October 8, 2024.
The vast majority of applicants will know right away if their application was accepted and how much money they will be getting. Besides that, a proof letter will be sent.
Applicants can also name an authorized representative to apply on their behalf, but this needs to be approved by the head of the household, who will then be called to make sure the permission is real. One will get an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card in the mail if their application is accepted.
Replacements and supplements for SNAP recipients
People in the targeted parishes who are already getting SNAP benefits can get two kinds of help: automatic benefit replacements and automatic supplements.
People who got SNAP benefits in Assumption, Lafourche, St. Mary, and Terrebonne will get 40% of their September benefits replaced immediately, as long as they were given out before Hurricane Francine hit on September 11.
The Louisiana Public Service Commission says that more than half of the people who live in these areas have been without power for more than 24 hours.
The new benefits will be put on the EBT cards of the users by September 25, Wednesday. If you live in another parish and lost food that you bought with SNAP benefits because of the storm and the power went out for at least 24 hours or something else, you can ask for a replacement by hand.
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