Special SNAP Services in Louisiana

In certain situations, Louisiana residents may qualify for special SNAP services to address urgent needs. These include emergency benefits, disaster assistance, simplified applications for seniors, and replacement benefits for food loss.

Expedited SNAP (Emergency SNAP)

Louisiana offers expedited SNAP to help households with little to no money get food benefits within seven days. This service is designed to prevent hunger during sudden financial crises, bypassing the normal processing period.

Eligibility is specific. It includes households with a gross monthly income under $150 and $100 or less in liquid assets. It also covers households whose income and resources are less than their rent and utilities, or destitute migrant and seasonal farmworkers.

To apply, submit a standard SNAP application and request emergency service. You can apply online, by mail, or at a DCFS office and must provide proof of identity. DCFS screens all applications and issues benefits to those eligible. Learn more here.

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP)

DSNAP offers temporary food assistance after a federally declared disaster. It helps low- to moderate-income households that do not receive regular SNAP but have lost income or property. The program is only activated after state requests are approved by the USDA and FEMA.

Eligibility is limited to residents in specific disaster-declared parishes who were not on SNAP. Applicants must have had disaster-related losses and meet the income and resource limits for the disaster period.

You can pre-register for DSNAP when available. Once open, apply online, by phone, or in person during the designated period. You will need a photo ID and proof of address. Approved households get an EBT card within 72 hours. DSNAP details are available.

Louisiana Combined Application Project (LaCAP)

LaCAP is a simplified SNAP program for older adults receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It reduces paperwork and offers a 36-month certification period by using existing SSI data to verify income and resources, making it easier to maintain food benefits.

To qualify, you must be a Louisiana resident aged 60 or older receiving SSI. You cannot be institutionalized or live with a spouse or child under 22. You must also purchase and prepare your food separately from others.

Apply by calling DCFS, downloading the form, or visiting a parish office. Most applicants are approved without an interview. Benefits are loaded monthly onto a Purchase Card. More on LaCAP.

Replacement SNAP Benefits For Food Loss

If food purchased with SNAP benefits spoils due to a power outage or disaster, DCFS can issue replacement benefits. This helps households restock their kitchens. Replacements can be issued automatically to all affected households or on a case-by-case basis.

Current SNAP recipients who lost food after a power outage of 24 hours or more are eligible. The request must typically be filed within 10 days, though this deadline may be extended during widespread disasters.

If a mass replacement is approved, benefits are credited automatically. Otherwise, you must submit a form online or at a parish office detailing the value of the food lost. Find replacement benefit information.

How to Use Your SNAP Benefits in Louisiana

Once you are approved for SNAP, it's time to learn how to use your benefits, including what you can buy and where.

What is an EBT Card and How to Use it?

An Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card is how you receive and use your SNAP benefits. Think of it as a debit card for food assistance. The card is loaded with your monthly benefits and can be used at authorized stores to purchase eligible food items.

Using it is simple. At checkout, you swipe your EBT card in the card reader and enter your private PIN. The purchase amount is then deducted from your SNAP account balance, just like a transaction with a regular bank card.

What Can You Buy with SNAP Benefits?

SNAP benefits are intended for purchasing staple food items to prepare meals at home. Eligible products generally include most grocery items that make up a healthy diet, such as foods for the household to eat.

• Fruits and vegetables

• Meat, poultry, and fish

• Dairy products like milk and cheese

• Breads and cereals

• Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages

However, there are specific restrictions on what you cannot buy. These items are typically non-essential, prepared to be eaten on-site, or are not food products.

• Alcohol, cigarettes, or tobacco

• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements

• Hot foods ready for immediate consumption

• Non-food items like pet food, cleaning supplies, and cosmetics

Where Can You Use Your EBT Card?

In Louisiana, your EBT card works at most authorized retailers. This includes major grocery chains, supermarkets, and many corner stores. You can also use your benefits at participating farmers’ markets to purchase fresh, local foods. Just look for the Quest or SNAP logo at the store entrance.

Many online retailers now accept SNAP for grocery orders. In Louisiana, you can use your EBT card for purchases on sites like Amazon and Walmart. This allows you to have eligible food items delivered or prepared for pickup, offering more flexibility for your grocery shopping.

Download Benny for Free and Earn Cash Back on EBT

With the Benny app, you can get cash back on your everyday purchases. Earn rewards when you buy groceries at stores like Target, Walmart, and Dollar Tree. You can also get money back when using services such as Uber and Lyft, helping your dollars go further each month.

Download Benny for free. Connect your EBT card and earn cashback as you shop.