DSNAP, SNAP replacements, authorized for St. Mary, Assumption

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) received federal approval Friday for multiple forms of disaster food assistance for Hurricane Francine-affected families. USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) authorized Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) operations in eight parishes, automatic SNAP replacement benefits for 4 parishes, and automatic SNAP supplements for 6 parishes.

Non-SNAP Households: What You Need to Know
Current SNAP recipients are not eligible for DSNAP.
DCFS received approval to begin DSNAP operations in the following parishes that were declared eligible for Individual Assistance (IA): Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Mary and Terrebonne.
DSNAP interviews will start on Wednesday, Sept. 25. According to FNS guidelines, DSNAP operations cannot begin until all other federal disaster food assistance programs in a parish have ended (including PODs and Disaster Household Distribution) and essential services such as power, telephone/internet, mail and grocery stores are fully operational.

For DSNAP Applicants:
Residents in the eight approved parishes should call the LAHelpU Customer Service Center at 1-888-LAHELPU (1-888-524-3578) to apply for DSNAP on their designated day (by first letter of last name; see schedule below) or during one of the A-Z days, which are open to all residents in the approved parishes. Application hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. After selecting your language, press 6 followed by 1.
Vulnerable groups, including the elderly and disabled, who are unable to apply by phone can apply in person at selected DCFS offices or community-based organizations within the affected parishes.
Translation services are available throughout the application process. A worker will verify your identity, residency and disaster-related expenses from September 9, 2024, to October 8, 2024. Most applicants will learn their approval status and benefit amount immediately, followed by a confirmation letter sent by mail.
Applicants can designate an Authorized Representative to apply on their behalf, but this requires approval from the head of the household, who will be contacted to confirm the authorization.
Approved applicants will receive an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card by mail.

Application Schedule for 8 Approved Parishes:
Residents of the 8 approved parishes should apply for DSNAP by phone on their assigned day by last name.
• Day 1 (Wednesday, Sept. 25) –A-G
• Day 2 (Thursday, Sept. 26) – H-M
• Day 3 (Friday, Sept. 27) – N-Z
• Day 4 (Monday, Sept. 30) – Open to all
• Day 5 (Tuesday, Oct. 1) – Open to all
In-Person Option for Vulnerable Groups:
Vulnerable groups, including the elderly and disabled, who are unable to apply by phone can apply in person at the following DCFS offices or community-based organizations:
Ascension Parish:
DCFS Ascension Economic Stability office
1078 E Worthy St., Gonzales, LA 70737
8:00a - 4:30p, M-F

Assumption Parish:
Bella Rose Branch Library
7089 Hwy 1. Belle Rose, LA 70341
9:00a - 4p, M-F

Lafourche Parish:
DCFS Lafourche Child Welfare office
1416 Tiger Dr., Thibodaux, LA 70301
8:00a - 4:30p, M-F

St. Charles Parish:
Alan Arterbury Building
14564 River Road New Sarpy, LA 70078
8:30a - 4:00p, M-F

St. James Parish:
Vacherie Branch Library
2593 Highway 20
Vacherie, LA 70090
8a - 4:30p, M-F

St. John Parish:
Let's Work! River Parishes - LaPlace Office
1708 Chantilly Dr. Suite A Laplace, LA 70068
8:30a - 4:00p, M-F

St. Mary Parish:
DCFS St. Mary Child Welfare office
604 2nd St. Franklin, LA 70538
8a - 4:30p, M-F
Terrebonne Parish:
DCFS Terrebonne Economic Stability office
1012 W Tunnel Blvd., Houma, LA 70826
8a - 4:30p, M-F
DSNAP provides food assistance to eligible households that are not enrolled in SNAP and need assistance purchasing groceries due to disaster-related income loss or damages.