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Here's the latest on DSNAP

SNAP benefits
Posted at 10:28 AM, Sep 20, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-20 11:31:43-04

The schedules for DSNAP applications has been changed.

If you live in one of the 21 parishes approved for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP), you can apply today, September 20 through Wednesday, September 23. It doesn't matter what your last name is now, because the application schedule has been changed.

The application process had been set up according to the first letter of an applicant's last name, because the state Department of Children and Family Services was worried about call wait times.

However, the call wait times weren't too bad, so they've changed the schedule so more people can apply now.

If you live in one of the 21 approved parishes and you haven't applied yet, you should call the LAHelpU Customer Service Center at 1-888-524-3578 any day through Wednesday, Sept. 23.

The call center will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today (Sunday, Sept. 20) and 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Monday through Wednesday (Sept. 21-23).

As a reminder: Pre-registration is only a first step. Residents who pre-registered must still call to apply and be interviewed in order to have their eligibility for DSNAP benefits determined. So, if you already pre-registered, you've got to call now to be interviewed so the state can determine if you are eligible.

Here are the 21 parishes: Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Caddo, Calcasieu, Cameron, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, LaSalle, Lincoln, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Sabine, St. Landry, Union, Vermilion, Vernon and Winn.

If you already get SNAP benefits, you don't need to apply for DSNAP because you aren't eligible. All families on SNAP already are getting the maximum benefits allowable by the federal government because of COVID.

For more information about DSNAP related to Hurricane Laura, see below and visit www.dcfs.la.gov/DSNAP-Laura [dcfs.louisiana.gov].