LDH announces schedule for distribution of state-funded SNAP benefits

BATON ROUGE, La. (KLFY) — The Louisiana Department of Health has announced the distribution schedule for state-funded emergency assistance to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households that include the elderly, disabled or children.

The department is also announcing SNAP staff furloughs. 

Households consisting only of able-bodied adults will not receive state-funded emergency assistance, officials said. Any unused SNAP benefits from previous months will remain on all recipients’ Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards and can be utilized as usual. 

Every SNAP-eligible household has a set day of the month when benefits are issued. Starting Nov. 1, 25% of the SNAP household benefit allotment will be provided as state-funded emergency assistance on the assigned date that SNAP benefits are normally issued. 

An additional 25% of the benefit amount will be provided to each household every seven days for the month of November, as long as the federal government shutdown continues. Following is an example of the issuance schedule:

• Normal benefit issuance day: Nov. 1 25% of benefit = $50
• Seven days later: Nov. 8, 25% of benefit = $50
• Seven days later: Nov. 15, 25% of benefit = $50
• Seven days later: Nov. 22, 25% of benefit = $50
• Total State Benefit: $200

Eligible SNAP recipients do not need to take action to receive state-funded emergency assistance. However, SNAP recipients must continue to meet all program requirements on time to continue their federal SNAP eligibility. 

The LDH has furloughed 786 SNAP employees due to the federal government shutdown, effective Monday, Nov. 3. Essential staff of 298 will not be furloughed. The furlough will continue until the federal government shutdown in Washington, D.C., ends, officials said. 

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