Disaster Food Stamps Approved for Orleans Parish Residents Impacted by Hurricane Zeta

Today, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) received federal approval to begin virtual Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) operations in Orleans Parish to provide additional food aid to families affected by Hurricane Zeta. The over-the-phone application process will run in a single phase from Monday, Feb. 1, to Sunday, Feb. 7.

DSNAP provides food assistance to eligible households who do not receive regular SNAP benefits and who need help buying groceries due to lost income or damages following a disaster.

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. The City of New Orleans encourages residents to visit the DCFS website to review the process and necessary information required to apply. 

On their designated day, residents will call the LAHelpU Customer Service Center to apply and be interviewed. The call center can be reached at 1-888-524-3578 (select language, then press 3-3-1), between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Applications for DSNAP will be accepted from residents beginning Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, according to the following schedule:

Day 1 (Feb. 1):  Residents whose last names begin with A-C

Day 2 (Feb. 2):  D-G

Day 3 (Feb. 3):  H-L

Day 4 (Feb. 4):  M-R

Day 5 (Feb. 5):  S-Z

Day 6 (Feb. 6):  All residents in the approved parishes, regardless of last name.

Day 7 (Feb. 7):  All residents in the approved parishes, regardless of last name.

Residents are also reminded that additional federal disaster assistance programs are available for those impacted by Hurricane Zeta, including individual assistance, SBA loans, and disaster unemployment insurance. Visit ready.nola.gov/recovery for more information on these programs.