Landry: Shutdown will cut off SNAP funding in La.

Gov. Jeff Landry is warning all SNAP card-holders that they will receive no new benefits on their cards starting Nov. 1 because of the the federal government shutdown in Washington, D.C

Any remaining benefits from previous months can still be used. Updated information will be available to all Louisiana residents through a new site https://dcshutdown.la.gov.

As of June 2024, 20.2% of the St. Mary Parish population is enrolled in the SNAP program, according to the Department of Children & Family Services.

An update from the U.S. Department of Agriculture this summer stated more than 16% of the population in Louisiana receives SNAP benefits.

“The U.S. Senate is failing to open the federal government in Washington, D.C.,” Landry said. “SNAP benefits are paid for by the federal government in Washington, and we simply administer the program here in Louisiana. Without the funds we cannot provide the benefits.

“The U.S. House under Speaker Mike Johnson has already acted to re-open the government. Our U.S. senators representing Louisiana have voted over and over again to re-open the government. They are doing their part. Now it is time for those U.S. senators, under Democrat Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, to vote yes and re-open the federal government.”

Democrats have insisted that they won’t vote to reopen the government unless health care coverage tax credits, which make insurance affordable for millions of Americans, are extended.

The Louisiana Department of Health which oversees the SNAP program in Louisiana will begin notifying recipients this week, based on available information, that November benefits will not be added to their cards until the federal government reopens.

In addition, LDH is providing notices, which retailers can post on doorways and in their stores notifying recipients new funds will be unavailable.

“All Louisiana SNAP recipients should be aware that there will be no new benefits added to their cards starting November 1st unless the federal government in Washington, D.C., reopens,” said Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health Bruce D. Greenstein. “We will do all we can to ensure SNAP recipients are aware of this and that retailers are prepared as well. Updated information will be provided on the state’s new dcshutdown.la.gov website as soon as it is available.”

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides monthly benefits that help eligible low-income households buy the food they need for good health. It is a program funded by the federal government in Washington, DC under the U.S. Department of Agriculture.