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Federal Cost of Living Adjustment Will Affect SNAP and Other Benefits Received Through DCFS
December 21, 2020
12.21.2020 - A federal cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to Social Security and veterans benefits for 2021 will result in decreases to some Louisiana residents' Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as food stamps, as well as benefits through the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP).
SNAP Benefits Schedule Is Changing
December 02, 2020
12.2.2020 - DCFS is beginning a three-month process of transitioning its SNAP benefits schedule to distribute benefits more evenly throughout each month. The Department also received approval to issue supplemental SNAP benefits for December.
DCFS and First Lady Donna Edwards Celebrate 756 Adoptions from Foster Care with Virtual Event
December 01, 2020
12.01.2020 - DCFS capped National Adoption Month with a virtual event Monday evening celebrating the 549 families who adopted 756 children from foster care during the past year. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the state’s 22nd Annual Adoption Celebration – like many of this year’s adoption ceremonies – was held virtually via Zoom.
DSNAP Approved for 5 More Parishes Hit by Hurricane Delta
November 12, 2020
11.12.2020 - DCFS received federal approval to begin virtual Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) operations in five additional parishes due to damages sustained from Hurricane Delta: Beauregard, Lafayette, Rapides, St. Landry and St. Martin. The application process for this second phase will run from Monday, Nov. 16, to Friday, Nov. 20, 2020.
DCFS Partners with National Safe Haven Alliance for 24/7 Hotline
November 05, 2020
11.5.2020 - The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has partnered with the National Safe Haven Alliance (NSHA) to offer a 24/7 hotline staffed by highly trained crisis response experts using a holistic approach to help parents who are considering relinquishing their baby under Louisiana’s Safe Haven Law.
Replacement SNAP Benefits Approved for 6 Parishes Following Hurricane Zeta
November 02, 2020
11.2.2020 - Recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in 6 Southeast Louisiana parishes will receive automatic 25% replacement benefits due to widespread power outages from Hurricane Zeta, following a waiver approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
SNAP Emergency Allotments, Hot Foods Waiver Extension Approved for November
October 29, 2020
Louisiana SNAP recipients who do not already receive the maximum amount for their household size will receive emergency allotments for November bringing them to the max, following a waiver approval from USDA Food and Nutrition Service. FNS also approved Louisiana's request to extend the "hot foods" waiver through Nov. 30, 2020. November will be the ninth straight month emergency allotments have been issued in Louisiana due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
DSNAP Approved for 5 Louisiana Parishes Hit by Hurricane Delta
October 23, 2020
10.23.20 - DCFS received federal approval to begin virtual DSNAP operations in 5 parishes impacted by Hurricane Delta and to issue 45% automatic SNAP and DSNAP replacement benefits to recipients in certain parishes due to widespread power outages following the storm.
Louisiana Receives Extension on "Hot Foods" Waiver for Use of SNAP/DSNAP Benefits through Oct. 31
October 02, 2020
Louisiana participants in SNAP and DSNAP can use their benefits to purchase hot or prepared foods from authorized SNAP retailers in Louisiana throughout the month of October, following a waiver extension approval from the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. FNS also approved DCFS's request to provide emergency supplements for SNAP recipients in October due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The supplements are scheduled to be issued Oct. 16.
Federal Cost-of-Living Adjustments Increase SNAP Benefits
October 01, 2020
10.1.2020 - The USDA's new cost-of-living adjustments for SNAP that go into effect today, Oct. 1, 2020, will mean an increase in benefits for most Louisiana families, while allowing others who may not have been eligible to begin receiving assistance. DCFS also is issuing October benefits early - on Oct. 1 for all current recipients, instead of staggered on the 1st through 14th - due to continuing effects of Hurricane Laura.