NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has received federal approval to begin distributing disaster nutritional funding for residents impacted by Hurricane Ida.
On Tuesday, the USDA approved the disaster supplemental nutritional assistance program (DSNAP) for the following Louisiana parishes and zip codes:
- Ascension
- Assumption
- East Baton Rouge
- East Feliciana
- Iberia
- Iberville
- Jefferson
- Lafourche
- Livingston
- Orleans
- Plaquemines
- Pointe Coupee
- St. Bernard
- St. Charles
- St. Helena
- St. James
- St. John the Baptist
- St. Martin (only lower St. Martin parish ZIP codes 70339 and 70380)
- St. Mary
- St. Tammany Tangipahoa
- Terrebonne
- Washington
- West Baton Rouge
- West Feliciana
DCFS reports that the interview process will run in three phases beginning on Monday, September 20. USDA regulations prohibit DSNAP operations until:
- All other disaster food services (including PODs and Disaster Household Distribution) have ended
- Power and telephone services are restored
- Mail delivery is in operation
- Grocery stores are back open
DSNAP provides food assistance to eligible households who do not currently receive regular SNAP benefits and need help buying groceries following a disaster or loss of income.
To receive DSNAP approval, the State of Louisiana must request that the federal government initiate the program, but can only make the request after the president activates the Stafford Act and approves the parish for Individual Assistance.
SNAP recipients are not eligible for DSNAP and should not apply.
Learn more about DSNAP and the application process and requirements by clicking here.
