DSNAP – Hurricane Ida – First Steps Referral and Consulting

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) received federal approval to begin virtual Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) operations in 25 parishes severely affected by Hurricane Ida.

Application Dates
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. Residents will be assigned a day, based on the first letter of their last name, to apply and be interviewed for DSNAP.

How to Apply

On their designated day, residents will call the LAHelpU Customer Service Center at 1-888-524-3578 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Translation services are available for individuals whose primary language is not English.

Applicants must select the following menu options during the call:

1st Option – Select Language
2nd Option – Press 6
3rd Option – Press 1

When residents call to apply and be interviewed for DSNAP, a worker will:

Verify the applicant’s identity and residency.
Obtain information about income, resources and disaster-related expenses

Application Schedule

Residents should call the LAHelpU Customer Service Center to apply and be interviewed for DSNAP on their designated day (according to the first letter of their last name) or on the A-Z days, which are open to all residents in the approved parishes for each phase.

Phase 1

Parishes: East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Orleans, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Washington, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana

Monday, September 20 – Residents with last names beginning with A-F
Tuesday, September 21 – G-M
Wednesday, September 22 – N-S
Thursday, September 23 – T-Z
Friday, September 24 – A-Z (All residents in Phase 1 parishes)
Saturday, September 25 – A-Z (All residents in Phase 1 parishes)

Phase 2

Parishes: Ascension, Assumption, Iberville, Jefferson, Livingston, Plaquemines, St. Helena, St Martin ZIP codes 70339 & 70380, St. Mary, Tangipahoa

Monday, September 27 – Residents with last names beginning with A-F
Tuesday, September 28 – G-M
Wednesday, September 29 – N-S
Thursday, September 30 – T-Z
Friday, October 1 – A-Z (All residents in Phase 2 parishes)
Saturday, October 2 – A-Z (All residents in Phase 2 parishes)

Phase 3

Parishes: Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, Terrebonne

Monday, October 4 – Residents with last names beginning with A-F
Tuesday, October 5 – G-M
Wednesday, October 6 – N-S
Thursday, October 7 – T-Z
Friday, October 8 – A-Z (All residents in Phase 3 parishes)
Saturday, October 9 – A-Z (All residents in Phase 3 parishes)

SNAP Recipient Eligibility

SNAP recipients are not eligible for DSNAP benefits. However, individuals who began receiving SNAP benefits after the storm can apply.

Residents who received SNAP benefits in September 2021 ARE NOT eligible.
The latest information about SNAP benefits can be found at www.dcfs.la.gov/page/snap-updates.

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DSNAP – Hurricane Ida