More than 14,000 households receive Disaster Food Assistance

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services issued more than $5.8 million in disaster food benefits to 14,267 households who applied for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program aid statewide by Tuesday.
TheDSNAP operation began a six-day application period for designated flood-impacted areas in the parishes of East Feliciana, Iberia, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. Landry, Tangipahoa and Vermilion.
DSNAP provides eligible households, who do not currently receive regular SNAP benefits, with help buying groceries due to lost income or damages following a disaster.
In Eunice, there were 240 households on Monday and 265 on Tuesday approved for benefits.
In Opelousas, there were 810 on Monday and 875 on Tuesday approved for benefits.
Here are some reminders and steps people can take to speed up the process:
DNSAP is only for eligible residents in designated areas who have been impacted by the flood, but who are NOT receiving SNAP benefits. SNAP recipients should NOT visit a DSNAP site.
DSNAP applicants should pre-register online at www.dcfs.la.gov/preregister or by phone at 1-888-LAHELP-U (1-888-524-3578) before visiting a DSNAP location.
Check the schedule and locations below. Applicants will only be served on their scheduled day for their last name and during the scheduled week for their location. Some ZIP codes cross parish lines so be sure to check parish FIRST, before checking ZIP code.
Although there are accommodations at DSNAP sites for the elderly and persons with disabilities, they can name an Authorized Representative to complete an application at a DSNAP site on their behalf.
Authorized Representatives must bring a picture ID and the picture ID of the applicant/head of household they represent. They will also need a signed statement from the applicant/head of household or an adult household member authorizing them as a representative who can apply on their household’s behalf.
DSNAP operations are underway in the following locations this week, through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
They include
St. Landry Parish (all ZIP Codes):
Southeast Community Center, 101 City Avenue, Eunice
Yambilee Building, 1939 W Landry St., Opelousas
Applicants and anyone who pre-registered for benefits must go to the DSNAP location on the day indicated by the first letter of their last name.
Thursday: S-Z
Friday: A-K applicants unable to make prior scheduled day
Saturday: L-Z applicants unable to make prior scheduled day
Those applying for DSNAP MUST go to a specified DSNAP site for the parish where they resided during the disaster to apply and receive benefits, if eligible.
DSNAP Phase Two will begin Monday, August 29 through Saturday, September 3 for Acadia, Ascension, East Baton Rouge and Lafayette parishes. DSNAP Phase Three will begin the first week of September for all other approved DSNAP parishes.
Sites for these parishes will be announced once the locations are finalized.
About Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP)
DSNAP, formerly called Disaster Food Stamps, provides food assistance to eligible households who do not receive regular SNAP benefits and who need help buying groceries due to lost income or damages following a disaster. The program is funded by the USDA Federal Nutrition Service, which sets guidelines for the program. Residents should pre-register for the program at www.dcfs.la.gov/preregister.