Recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may be eligible for replacement benefits for food lost due to Barry if they report their loss to the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services before Friday, July 26.
Replacement benefits for Barry are NOT automatic; recipients must apply for them.
Replacement benefits are not Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) benefits. D-SNAP availability is directly tied to FEMA approving a state request for Individual Assistance
Based on initial reports on Barry's impacts, it does not appear the state will qualify for this level of assistance, according to the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
"We are working as quickly as we can to ensure those most vulnerable receive the food help they need. While disaster food stamps may not be available, for those on SNAP, we can help. For others, our food bank partners are ready to give needed assistance," said DCFS secretary Marketa Garner Walters.
Eligibility:
Current SNAP recipients who received SNAP benefits in June and/or July 2019 and who have lost food purchased with SNAP due to a power outage or other household misfortune related to Barry can apply for replacement benefits.
For food losses due to power outage, the power must have been out for a minimum of 24 hours. DCFS works with the Public Service Commission to obtain reports of specific power outages.
How to apply:
Best, fastest option - On or before Friday, July 26, report the food loss to DCFS by turning in a completed and signed SNAP 38 form in one of the following ways:
- Email it to LAHelpU.DCFS@la.gov
OR
- Mail it to DPC, P.O. Box 260031, Baton Rouge, LA 70826;
OR
- If you cannot email or mail the form, bring it to your nearest DCFS Economic Stability Office. A list of DCFS offices can be found at www.dcfs.la.gov/offices.
Alternative - If you cannot get the signed form to us before Friday, July 26, then you must do BOTH of the following to report your loss and send in the required form:
- Email LAHelpU.DCFS@la.gov (preferred) or call 1-888-524-3578 by Friday, July 26, and provide your:
Name
Address
Last four digits of Social Security Number
Parish
Dollar value of food loss
Length of time without power
Within 10 days of reporting the loss to DCFS by email or phone call, send your completed and signed SNAP 38 Form to DCFS by email, mail, or by bringing it to a local office, as described above.
DCFS CANNOT process a SNAP replacement request until we receive a signed SNAP 38 Form.
SNAP 38 Forms:
SNAP 38 Forms are available online at www.dcfs.la.gov/snapreplacementfaq and at DCFS Economic Stability offices. If a SNAP recipient cannot download the form or get to an ES office, the person can call 1-888-524-3578 to request that a form be mailed to them.
For more information about Replacement SNAP, or to download the SNAP 38 Form, visit www.dcfs.la.gov/snapreplacementfaq.
