March is the first month in three years that Louisiana Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients will receive their regular benefit amount without the pandemic-related extra benefits they have received since March 2020.
SNAP households received their final round of extra benefits (also known as Emergency Allotments) in February, following passage of the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which ended funding for these benefits.
With the extra benefits coming to an end, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is encouraging SNAP households to report any changes in their household size, income and/or expenses, as certain changes could result in an increase to their regular benefit amount.
SNAP recipients can review their regular benefit amount by viewing the customized letter DCFS sent to each SNAP household in February, checking their online CAFE accounts at www.dcfs.la.gov/CAFE, accessing their accounts through the LifeinCheck smartphone app, or by calling the LAHelpU Customer Service Center at 1-888-LA-HELP-U (1-888-524-3578) and following the prompts.
Once a SNAP household has reviewed their regular benefit amount, the next step is to ensure the household’s information with DCFS is up-to-date. Any increase in household size, decrease in income, or increase in costs associated with housing, child care, or court-ordered child support may result in an increase in the monthly benefit amount for the household. Those who are elderly or disabled should also report any increases in medical expenses. These changes can be reported online through the CAFE portal, by phone at 1-888-LA-HELP-U (1-888-524-3578), or in person at a DCFS office.
