The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits that help eligible low-income households buy the food they need for good health. For most households, SNAP funds account for only a portion of their food budgets; they must also use their own funds to buy enough food to last throughout the month. Eligible households can receive food assistance through regular SNAP or through the Louisiana Combined Application Project (LaCAP).
Ensure Your Eligibility Before SNAP Benefits Application
To get benefits through regular SNAP, households must meet certain tests, including resource and income tests.
Resources: Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or households including anyone who receives Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP), Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP), or Strategies to Empower People (STEP) Program benefits are exempt from the resource limit. Households not exempt from the resource limit may have up to $2500 in resources, such as a bank account, cash, certificate of deposit (CDs), stocks, and bonds. Non-exempt households that include at least one household member who is age 60 or older or includes a disabled member may have up to $3750 in resources.
Households are not exempt from the resource limit if:
- Any member is disqualified for Intentional Program Violation, or
- The household is disqualified for failing to comply with work registration requirements.
The following individuals are not exempt from the resource limit:
- An ineligible alien,
- An ineligible student,
- An individual who is disqualified for failure to comply with work registration requirements,
- An individual who is disqualified for failure to provide or apply for a social security number, and
- An individual who is on strike.
Income: Households must meet income tests (unless any member is receiving FITAP, KCSP, STEP benefits, or all members are receiving SSI).
Most households must meet both the gross and net income tests, but a household with a person who is 60 years old or older or a person who is receiving certain types of disability payments only has to meet the net income test.
Gross income means a household’s total, non-excluded income, before any deductions have been made. Net income means gross income minus allowable deductions. Households, except those noted, that have income over the amounts listed below cannot get SNAP benefits.
Allotment Amounts: The amount of SNAP a household receives depends on the number of people in the SNAP household and the amount of their net income. The table below shows the maximum SNAP allotments by household size.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for SNAP Benefits in Louisiana
Louisiana citizens are allowed to apply for SNAP through three ways, online, in person and in writing.
Online
Step One . Fill out an Application online.
Step Two . Gather the documents you will need to verify the information in your application. What must be verified and examples of proof.
Step Three . After submitting your application, call us Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to complete an interview over the phone. You no longer need to wait on a scheduled phone interview, saving you time.
If a face-to-face interview is requested, you may schedule an appointment with any DCFS parish office.
In Person
This method for SNAP application isn’t suggested during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Fax or Mail
Step One . Download an application and fill it out by hand.
If you need an application to be sent to your mailing address, contact DCFS Customer Service by emailing LAHelpU.dcfs@la.gov or calling 1-888-LAHELP-U (888-524-3578).
Step Two . Gather the documents you will need to verify the information in your application. What must be verified and examples of proof.
Step Three . Choose one of the following options:
Mail the completed form to the Document Processing Center:
DCFS Economic Stability
P.O. Box 260031
Baton Rouge, LA 70826
Fax the completed form to:
(225) 663-3164
Drop off at the nearest local office
NOTE: Applications cannot be emailed.
Step Four . After submitting your application, call us Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to complete an interview over the phone. You no longer need to wait on a scheduled phone interview.
If a face-to-face interview is requested, you may schedule an appointment with any DCFS parish office.
How to Apply for SNAP Benefits in Louisiana from a Phone
It’s the easiest to apply for SNAP or other programs when a smartphone is used. FAX app is capable of changing a phone into a fax machine allowing users to fill, sign and send SNAP application form anytime and anywhere.
Step 1. Download FAX app and install it on your device, iOS or Android.
Step 2. Finish filling your SNAP application form and scan it with the webcam on your phone.
Step 3. Sign your SNAP application form, add a cover sheet, edit and preview your fax document.
Step 4. Fill in the fax number 888-524-3578 and tap the “Send” button to complete faxing.
You may also contact DCFS at 1-888-LAHELP-U (1-888-524-3578) to apply by phone.
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