Emergency nutrition support announced for Louisiana
In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Francine, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the approval of the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) for eight Louisiana parishes.
This program is designed to help approximately 40,000 households that might not usually qualify under the standard SNAP guidelines but are now facing exceptional circumstances due to the hurricane.
Tom Vilsack, the Agriculture Secretary, affirmed USDA's commitment to assisting impacted individuals and households, ensuring they receive the necessary food assistance to help them recover.
Eligible households within the disaster zones will be granted a one-time allotment that corresponds to the maximum monthly benefit for a household of their size, which they can use at various authorized stores and online.
From September 25 to October 1, 2024, affected residents can apply for D-SNAP. The state of Louisiana, ensuring readiness through adequate staffing and public information, will also provide supplementary benefits to existing SNAP participants in select parishes and waive certain reporting requirements to ease the process for those affected.
The USDA's swift response through D-SNAP and additional supports underscores its role in promoting food security and supporting recovery in the wake of natural disasters, focusing on both immediate relief and long-term stability for the residents of Louisiana.