The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) will begin distributing federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to eligible recipients starting Thursday, November 7. All SNAP offices have reopened, and staff furloughs have ended, effective today.
Despite the ongoing federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing funding to continue SNAP assistance. Eligible households will receive about 50% of their normal SNAP benefits, depending on household size, on their regular distribution day.
Recipients who received state-funded emergency SNAP assistance between November 1–4—including elderly individuals and people with disabilities—will also receive their federal SNAP benefits on November 7.
All unused federal SNAP benefits from previous months remain available on recipients’ EBT cards. No action is needed to receive the new benefits.
SNAP participants should continue to meet all program requirements to remain eligible:
- Report household changes as required.
- Complete any needed paperwork (simplified reporting or recertification).
- Submit requested documents by:
- Mail: LDH ES Document Processing Center, P.O. Box 260031, Baton Rouge, LA 70826
- In person: Any LDH ES parish office
- Fax: 225-663-3164
WIC Program Update
The Louisiana Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program remains fully operational after receiving contingency funding from the USDA. WIC food packages, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support continue without interruption.
Families should keep their appointments and use their November WIC benefits as usual at authorized stores. LDH will notify clinics, participants, and vendors immediately if any program changes occur.
SNAP Employee Update
With new federal funding for administrative costs, LDH has ended all furloughs for SNAP staff and reopened all offices statewide.
