The Louisiana Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) is the state of Louisiana's disaster food assistance program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) approves state requests to operate a D-SNAP. Local grocery stores must be open and operating, and there must be a presidential disaster declaration for individual assistance for your area.

Once the program has been approved, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) sets a limited period for you to file a D-SNAP application.

You may qualify for food assistance through the Louisiana D-SNAP if you:

• Do not already get help through the state’s regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Current SNAP households may qualify for supplemental disaster or replacement benefits.
• Were living or, in some cases, working in the declared area at the time of the disaster.
• Have at least one of these disaster-related effects or unreimbursed expenses:
  • Home or business repairs;
  • Temporary shelter or evacuation expenses;
  • Home or business protection;
  • Personal injury, including funeral expenses;
  • Lost or no access to income;
  • Food loss, in some cases, if you have no other disaster-related expenses.
• Plan to buy food during the disaster benefit period.

Your eligibility is based on your “disaster gross income” or DGI. When you apply, your caseworker will calculate your DGI.

1. They add your take-home pay, unearned income (like public assistance payments), and liquid resources (like bank accounts and cash on hand).
2. Then they subtract your unreimbursed disaster-related expenses.

The maximum DGI is set each year and is based on household size. If your DGI is less than or equal to the maximum, you may qualify for Louisiana D-SNAP.

To see current DGIs for various household sizes visit USDA FNS's SNAP Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Information page.

The Louisiana D-SNAP online system is always active to take pre-registrations for state- and presidential-level disaster declarations. To learn more and to pre-apply, visit the DSNAP page.

You can also pre-register over the phone at 1-888-LAHELPU (1-888-524-3578). Help is available for the visually impaired.

To get benefits, Louisiana DCFS certification staff must review your case to see if you qualify. You may either:

• Apply in person at an application site, or
• Pre-register online and go to an application site to show proof of identity.

If you qualify, you will get your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The EBT card will be loaded with your Louisiana D-SNAP benefits and works like a debit card at most grocery stores.