With federal SNAP payments on hold because of the government shutdown, Louisiana will step in to cover November food benefits for at risk households, Gov. Jeff Landry announced.
Louisiana will spend about $150 million in state funds this month to maintain benefits for about 565,000 of the most vulnerable recipients. Benefits will begin loading to EBT cards Nov. 1-4. The Louisiana Department of Health said households will then receive 25% of their normal benefit on the day they usually receive SNAP and another 25% every seven days through November as long as the shutdown continues.
Households that consist only of able-bodied adults (about 53,000 statewide) will not receive the temporary state-funded help. Landry urged those recipients to seek work, noting that there are more than 100,000 job openings across the state.
State officials said the goal is to prevent an immediate food gap for seniors, families with children and people with disabilities, groups that make up a large share of SNAP recipients in rural parishes such as Winn.
Recipients do not have to reapply to receive the November state benefit. LDH is reminding people they still must report household changes, complete simplified reporting or recertification paperwork and submit verification on time in order to stay federally eligible once funding resumes. Documents can be mailed to the LDH ES Document Processing Center, P.O. Box 260031, Baton Rouge, LA 70826, or faxed to 225-663-3164.
Because SNAP is federally funded, LDH reported it has furloughed 786 employees whose jobs are tied to the program, effective Monday, Nov. 3. Another 298 workers are considered essential and will remain on the job. The furloughs will continue until the federal shutdown ends. The department said it will keep monitoring the situation and provide updates to retailers and beneficiaries.
Residents who are not covered by the state-funded assistance, particularly able-bodied adults without dependents, are encouraged to contact local food banks for help. LDH is also asking residents who are able to give support to local food assistance efforts in their communities throughout the ongoing shutdown and incoming holiday season.