State took steps to broaden eligibility, increase other benefits

BATON ROUGE – March is the first month in three years that Louisiana Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients will receive their regular benefit amount without the pandemic-related extra benefits they have received since March 2020. SNAP households received their final round of extra benefits (also known as Emergency Allotments) in February, following passage of the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which ended funding for these benefits. SNAP emergency allotments had allowed households to receive the maximum SNAP benefit amount for their household size, with a minimum supplemental allotment of $95.

With the extra benefits coming to an end, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is encouraging SNAP households to report any changes in their household size, income and/or expenses, as certain changes could result in an increase to their regular benefit amount. SNAP households with unmet food needs are also encouraged to reach out to organizations like LA 211, food banks, and religious organizations to see what other assistance might be available to them.

SNAP recipients can review their regular benefit amount by viewing the customized letter DCFS sent to each SNAP household in February, checking their online CAFE accounts at www.dcfs.la.gov/CAFE, (opens in a new tab) accessing their accounts through the LifeinCheck smartphone app, or by calling the LAHelpU Customer Service Center at 1-888-LA-HELP-U (1-877-752-3237) and following the prompts.

Once a SNAP household has reviewed their regular benefit amount, the next step is to ensure the household’s information with DCFS is up-to-date. Any increase in household size, decrease in income, or increase in costs associated with housing, child care, or court-ordered child support may result in an increase in the monthly benefit amount for the household. Those who are elderly or disabled should also report any increases in medical expenses. These changes can be reported online through the CAFE portal, by phone at 1-888-LA-HELP-U (1-877-752-3237), or in person at a DCFS office.

“We know after three years these extra benefits became the ‘new normal’ for many of our families who struggle with food insecurity,” said DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks. “We want to help these households understand the change and maximize their food assistance in any way they can. We also want to make them aware they can contact 211 and to find other resources available in their communities.”

Households in need of additional resources may apply for WIC (opens in a new tab) , visit food banks (opens in a new tab) , participate in programs such as Greaux the Good (opens in a new tab) ‘s Market Match at participating farmers markets (opens in a new tab) , or contact 211 (opens in a new tab) to find information about food assistance and other resources that may be available to them.