DSNAP Operation Application Dates Extended by Three Days; Apply by Last Name
10/11/2021 10:53 AM
DSNAP received federal approval to extend its Hurricane Ida Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) operation by three days to provide the large volume of applicants more time to complete DSNAP interviews. DSNAP provides eligible low- to moderate-income households who do not normally receive SNAP benefits with help buying groceries due to lost income or damages following a disaster.
Application/interview info - http://www.dcfs.la.gov/page/dsnap
Residents in all 25 affected parishes can apply for DSNAP benefits on their assigned day, according to the first letter of their last name.
- Monday, October 11 - A-L
- Tuesday, October 12 - M-Z
- Wednesday, October, 13 - A-Z
Parishes -- Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin (only lower St. Martin parish ZIP codes 70339 and 70380), St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana.
REMINDER: SNAP recipients are not eligible for DSNAP. Replacement benefits for SNAP recipients were issued on September 11, 2021.
WHAT APPLICANTS NEED TO KNOW:
Due to ongoing concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, DSNAP applications will be handled by phone, and benefits cards will be mailed to approved applicants through the U.S. Postal Service.
Residents in the approved parishes can call the LAHelpU Customer Service Center, 1-888-524-3578, to apply and be interviewed for DSNAP. Applicants should call 1-888-524-3578, select their language, prompt 6 and then 1 between the hours of 7:30 A.M. to 6:00 p.m.
Translation services are available for individuals whose primary language is not English.
Residents are encouraged, but not required, to take the following steps before calling to apply for DSNAP:
- Pre-register online first. Step-by-step instructions can be found at http://www.dcfs.la.gov/page/dsnap.
- Download the LA Wallet mobile app for identity and residency verification. Information on the app, including download links, can be found at LAWallet.com.
- Gather all information needed for the application. A list of what is needed can be found in the FAQs at http://www.dcfs.la.gov/page/dsnap.
Residents who pre-registered or applied for DSNAP since March 2020 do not need to pre-register again. When residents call to apply and be interviewed for DSNAP, a worker will verify the applicant’s identity and residency, and obtain information about their income, resources and disaster-related expenses incurred between August 26, 2021 and September 24, 2021.
Most applicants will be told on the phone immediately after completing their application and interview whether they have been approved to receive DSNAP and, if so, the amount of benefits they will receive. Applicants will also receive a letter by mail, confirming the eligibility decision made on their application.
Applicants may name an Authorized Representative (AR) to apply for DSNAP benefits on their behalf. The head of household must authorize the person to serve as AR on their behalf, and the worker will need to speak to the head household to confirm that they agree for the AR to speak on their behalf.