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If you are not a current SNAP recipient and would like to be, learn how you can apply.
You can apply for regular SNAP benefits online through the CAFÉ customer portal, or by downloading a paper application and submitting it to LDH by U.S. Mail or fax. You will find a list of documents here that are required for proof of identity and eligibility. Applications cannot be emailed. For instructions on how to apply for SNAP, text GETSNAP to 898-211.
Eligible items are household foods such as fruits and vegetables; meat, poultry and fish; dairy products; breads and cereals; snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat.
Ineligible: Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes and tobacco; vitamins, medicines and supplements (if an item has a "supplement facts" label, it is not eligible for SNAP purchase); live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water and animals slaughtered before pick-up from the store); prepared foods that are fit for immediate consumption; hot foods; pet foods; cleaning supplies, paper products and other household supplies; hygiene items and cosmetics.
For more information, visit USDA's SNAP Eligible Food Items page.
Households CANNOT use SNAP benefits to buy:
For more information about what can be purchased with SNAP, visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligible-food-items.
To receive SNAP benefits, households must meet certain resource and income eligibility standards. In addition, a family's SNAP benefit amount depends on the number of people in the SNAP household and the amount of their net income. Learn more about the documents needed to provide proof of eligibility.
It depends. 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 SNAP resource limit.
LDH is also using Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) to expand SNAP eligibility to applicants who have excess assets but who are otherwise income eligible. If a household is BBCE-eligible, assets will not be counted in determining SNAP eligibility.
Certain restrictions do apply. If household members have been disqualified (for program violations, failure to comply with work registration requirements, noncompliance with SSI-required treatment for addiction/alcoholism, conviction of certain crimes, receipt of substantial lottery/gambling winnings) or if a household member is otherwise ineligible (e.g., an ineligible student, ineligible alien, or on strike), Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility will not apply. Assets will be considered in determining SNAP eligibility.
Assets of households that are not BBCE-eligible, and that are not otherwise exempt from the resource limit, must be counted in determining SNAP eligibility.
Assets include things like bank accounts, cash, certificates of deposit (CDs), stocks, and bonds. More information on SNAP eligibility and resource limits.
Maybe. It depends on how much you receive and your household size.
View the income limits for eligibility. Learn what income and resources are counted in determining SNAP eligibility, and see maximum income levels by household size.
When applying for SNAP benefits, there are several documents you need to provide – either by uploading them in CAFÉ when you apply or by emailing/mailing/faxing them to us.
Uploading these documents in CAFÉ when you apply will help reduce the time it takes to process your SNAP application. Please gather these documents and save them to your computer or mobile device before you start the application process so you will have them ready to upload when you apply. CAFÉ can accept scanned PDF documents, as well as GIF, JPG, and PNG photos. View how-to videos about CAFÉ and applying for SNAP.
Documents you need to provide with a SNAP application include proof of:
These kinds of documents can be used as proof.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are applying for FITAP and/or KCSP, additional documentation is required. These kinds of documents are required with FITAP/KCSP applications.
If you cannot upload your documents in CAFÉ, you may email, mail, or fax them to us instead:
When you send your documents by email, mail or fax, please be sure to include on each page: your name as it appears in our records, your date of birth, your mailing address and the last four digits ONLY of your Social Security Number.
The best way to provide documents is through the LDH CAFÉ portal. See a helpful how-to video about this and other SNAP application issues. However, if you're having trouble, you can send your documents using one of the following options:
DPC
P.O. Box 260031
Baton Rouge, LA 70826
You should also include your name, date of birth, mailing address, and the last four digits only of your Social Security number. If you already have a SNAP EBT card, you should include your case ID number (the small number below the 16-digit number on your card).
Find out what documents are needed to provide proof of eligibility.
You can check the status of your application through our online CAFÉ customer portal. After signing into your CAFÉ account, go to the “My Applications” page and click the status link next to the application. Possible status updates include: Submitted, Received, Incomplete, Pending, Awaiting Verifications, Verifications Received, Approved, Denied, and Unavailable.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the high volume of applications we have receive, it may take some time for your application status to be updated (for example, from the time you send your verification documents until your caseworker can review them and mark your case as “verifications received.”) Please be patient as we work to process cases as timely as possible.
You can also check your status through our Call Center’s automated system (888-524-3578).
Find out more about the documents required for SNAP eligibility.
You will be notified by mail once an eligibility decision is made on your application. LDH has 30 days to process your application. However, if you are determined eligible for SNAP benefits, you will be eligible from the date of application.
Because of the great volume of applications LDH has been receiving, it may take 30 days to process applications. Providing all required documents at the time of application can help expedite the process. More about what must be verified and examples of proof. If we do not receive all required documentation to make a determination on your case, you will receive a call and/or letter from your caseworker, requesting the needed documentation.
After you apply, you can check on the status of your application through our online CAFÉ customer portal. After signing into your CAFÉ account, go to the “My Applications” page and click the status link next to the application. Possible status updates include: Submitted, Received, Incomplete, Pending, Awaiting Verifications, Verifications Received, Approved, Denied, and Unavailable. Please be patient as we work to process cases as timely as possible.
View a helpful how-to video on this and other topics involving applying for SNAP.
If you have additional questions about your application or case, you may:
SNAP (food stamp) benefits are posted to the recipient's account during the first 14 days of the month. Recipient benefits are accessible by 5 a.m. the morning after they are posted. Benefits are posted on the same date every month regardless of the day of the week. Holidays and weekends do not affect the date of benefit eligibility.
A benefit schedule for SNAP is provided in the Program Info section of the LifeInCheck EBT mobile app. Go to "My Account," then click "Benefits Schedule."
PLEASE NOTE: The "Benefits Schedule" in the app is for regular SNAP benefits only. Other benefits are issued on a different schedule. For more information on Supplemental SNAP, visit our SNAP webpage.
Yes, SNAP, FITAP, KCSP, and Child Support Enforcement clients can contact their caseworkers through the upgraded CAFÉ Self-Service Portal.
For SNAP, FITAP, and KCSP:
NOTE: If you just need general information about CAFÉ, please use the HELP or FAQs section within CAFÉ. If you would like to request changes or the closure of your case, please complete and submit a Change Report. For other questions, use the “Questions About Your Case?” feature described above. If your question or concern does not appear in this section, you may contact our Customer Service Center at 888-LA-HELP-U (888-524-3578).
For Child Support Enforcement:
NOTE: If you just need general information about CAFÉ, please use the HELP or FAQs section within CAFÉ.
Call the LAHelpU Customer Service Center at 888-524-3578. The regular hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Clients have 90 days from the date of LDH's decision on a SNAP case to appeal the Department's decision. The decision letter you receive from LDH will include instructions for filing an appeal. You will need to complete and sign the section below "Fair Hearing Information" and return it to the address indicated in the letter.
If your application is still pending on the 21st day after your application date, an EBT card will be mailed to you automatically. This will ensure you have a card in-hand in case your application is ultimately approved, so that you can access benefits more quickly.
PLEASE NOTE: No benefits will be loaded onto the card unless/until your application is approved, so you may receive a card with $0 benefits loaded onto it. The benefits would then be loaded onto the card the day after your application is approved.
If your application is approved before the 21st day after your application date, an EBT card will be mailed to you the day after your application is approved. The card will already be loaded with the amount of benefits for which you have been approved.
If your application meets the federal criteria for expedited services, an EBT card will be mailed to you when your application is received by LDH. Please note that you may receive an EBT card without benefits on it, even if your application is subsequently denied. Benefits will be loaded onto your card if/when your application is approved.
If you listed a physical address for your EBT card, your card may take 3-5 Business Days for delivery. EBT cards are being delivered by U.S. Postal Service. Depending on your local postal service, the delivery time my vary.
If you listed a P.O. Box for your EBT card, it is being delivered by regular mail delivery, which can take up to 7-10 business days for delivery.
NOTE: The EBT card will be sent separately from your benefits approval letter.
If you don't receive your card in your expected timeframe, please contact our LAHelpU Customer Service Center at 888-524-3578 or [email protected].
You can call LAHelpU from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., M-F, except on holidays. To speak with a customer service representative, select your language, then press option 6 and listen for the appropriate prompt. Tip: Call volumes are lightest in the first and last hours of the day.
If you send an email, provide your name as it appears in our records, your contact information, date of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You should also include a brief description of your situation and reason for writing, as well as a descriptive subject line. Our staff will respond as quickly as possible, but they receive a great volume of requests. Please allow at least three or four business days for a response.
EBT cards are mailed to applicants automatically if their application is still pending on the 21st day after their application date. We do this to ensure clients have a card in-hand as soon as possible, in case their application is approved, so benefits can be accessed more quickly.
If you are determined to be ineligible and your application is denied, no benefits will be loaded onto the card.
EBT cards are mailed to applicants automatically if their application is still pending on the 21st day after their application date. We do this to ensure clients have a card in hand as soon as possible, in case their application is approved, so benefits can be accessed more quickly. However, no benefits are loaded onto the card until the application is approved.
If your application is approved, your benefits will be loaded onto your EBT card the next day.
You can use your EBT card anywhere in the U.S. that accepts SNAP EBT cards. The SNAP Retailer Locator allows anyone to locate nearby SNAP-authorized retailers by entering a street address, city, and state, or zip code. Enter your starting location and select a retailer or map point to get details and directions.
You can use your EBT card at any SNAP-approved retailer to buy eligible food (see below for eligible food listing) with your SNAP benefits. Locate a SNAP retailer with this interactive tool.
If you also have cash benefits, you can use the benefits to buy food and non-food items, or get cash back.
At checkout, swipe your EBT card through the machine. If you receive both SNAP and cash benefits on your EBT card, be sure to select the correct payment type when your card is swiped. The State cannot correct this after the transaction is complete and you have left the store. Follow the directions on the machine to enter your PIN. Always check your receipt to make sure the amount of the EBT purchase is correct.
Yes, Louisiana residents who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may now purchase groceries online at participating retailers across the state. Consumers can use their EBT cards to shop and pay for qualified foods online. Delivery and other fees associated with online purchasing are not covered by SNAP benefits. Approved retailers can be located on USDA FNS's webpage. Learn more about EBT Online Purchasing.
Yes, Louisiana residents who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may now purchase groceries online at participating retailers across the state. Consumers can use their EBT cards to shop and pay for qualified foods online. Delivery and other fees associated with online purchasing are not covered by SNAP benefits. Approved retailers can be located on USDA FNS's webpage. For more information, visit our EBT Online Purchasing page.
Find an up-to-date list of Louisiana retailers accepting EBT cards online here.
Yes, you can split your purchases between your SNAP card and another method of payment. Only SNAP-eligible products may be charged to your card through the online retailer's systems. To pay for non-food items using other payment methods, the cardholder must follow the directions on the retailer's online system.
Yes, if you do not have enough benefits in your SNAP account, you will be able to make up the difference through various payment methods.
Yes. You can choose to pick them up or have them delivered. However, delivery and other associated charges are not covered by SNAP.
Upon completing a transaction, the price of the purchase will be deducted from your SNAP balance.
When a purchase is canceled, your balance is immediately updated. Returns are updated based on the retailer's return policy.
There are 3 ways to change your PIN:
NOTE: PINs selected with any of the below patterns are not allowed:
REMEMBER: Do not write your PIN on your card or on anything else you carry in your wallet or purse, in case it is lost or stolen. Choose a PIN that is easy for you to remember, but hard for someone else to guess or figure out, in case you lose your card.
PIN Freeze After 3 Bad PIN Attempts:
After three bad PIN attempts, your account will freeze. Please know that your PIN will reset at midnight and you can attempt to use your card again or reset your PIN at that time.
If you receive cash benefits on your EBT card, you can use your card at a SNAP-approved retailer to request cash back (though not all stores allow this). Some stores will allow you to receive cash back with a purchase, and some stores may allow you to withdraw cash without a purchase. You must follow the store's policy regarding cash back or cash withdrawals.
You also can get cash from an ATM where EBT cards are accepted. Insert your card and enter your 4-digit PIN. Select "Withdrawal" from "Checking" and enter the dollar amount you want to withdraw.
Benefits are secure and accessible only to persons authorized by the recipient. The Personal Identification Number (PIN) is selected by the recipient and must be correctly entered in order to successfully complete all electronic transactions. As purchases are made at grocery store checkout lanes, recipient accounts are debited and the recipient is given a receipt which provides the remaining account balance.
If you have lost or need to reset your SNAP EBT card, please call 888-997-1117.
Residents who lose their regular SNAP EBT should contact the EBT Call Center at 888-997-1117 to deactivate the lost card. To request a new card, contact the Customer Service Center (888-524-3578; [email protected]) or visit a parish office.
If your card is lost, stolen or damaged, cancel your card immediately. You may request a new replacement card after you have canceled your current card. You can do this in one of 3 ways:
Unfortunately, you will be unable to use your benefits until you receive your new replacement card and select a PIN. After a new PIN is selected, your new card is activated and your previous balance and transaction information will be available on the new card.
Under federal rules, federal food assistance benefits will be expunged (or removed) from a recipient’s EBT card nine months after the benefits are issued, unless the card is used to make a purchase within this nine-month period. If the card is used, the benefits will remain on the card for nine months from the date of the last purchase.
Once benefits have been removed, they cannot be added back to the card.
The letter is meant to inform you that it has been 8 months since you last used your EBT card, and your benefits will be removed in 1 month. If you make a purchase with your card, the timer will be reset. If you don’t, any remaining benefits may be lost. However, your card and your case are still active and any future benefits will be added to your card with the same 9-month time limit. For more information about benefit removal, visit the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) webpage.
Here’s an example: If benefits were issued to your card in January, any of those benefits that remain unused would be removed in October. However, if you used your card in March, the January benefits would remain on the card for nine months from the date you last used the card (in this case, nine months after March would be December). If you used your card again in November, the January benefits (if any still remain) would stay on your card for another nine months past November because you used your card.
No, if you have an active case, the removal of benefits will not affect your case status.
Use your card. Any size purchase counts. Even buying an apple every few months will keep your card active and keep your benefits available to use.
Only those benefits that were issued nine or more months ago will be removed. And those benefits will be removed only if you haven’t used your EBT card within the past nine months.
No, if you have benefits that are removed, that will not keep you from receiving future issuances of benefits for which you are eligible.
Access the CAFE Self-Service Portal.
If this is your first time visiting the new CAFE, you will need to create a new CAFE account (even if you have an active SNAP case). View SNAP video tutorials.
Generally, your SNAP household includes everyone who lives together and buys and prepares food together. If you have any questions about who should be included in your household, please call us at 888-524-3578 or email us at [email protected].
You can report changes three ways:
The Federal Poverty Limit changes annually. For a household of one, the 130% FPL limit is $1,696 per month for gross income. For a household of three, it is $2,888 per month. If you're not sure if your income is over the limit, call us at 888-524-3578.
If you have previously bookmarked or saved the link to our CAFE customer portal on your computer or phone, you may have linked to our old CAFE Customer Portal rather than our new, upgraded CAFE Self-Service Portal. To figure out which version of CAFE you are viewing, look at the top of the CAFE webpage and see whether it says "CAFE Customer Portal" (old system) or "CAFE Self-Service Portal" (upgraded system). If you are currently in the old system, you can reach the new system here.
NOTE: If this is your first time visiting our upgraded CAFE Self-Service Portal, you will need to create a new CAFE account (even if you have an active SNAP case). For directions on how to do that, please watch this tutorial on How to Create a CAFE Account.
Your case was selected completely at random. It does NOT mean:
Federal regulations require every state to review a random sample of SNAP cases to ensure program accuracy. Think of it as a routine quality check.
No. Participation in QC reviews is mandatory for receiving SNAP benefits. This is a federal requirement.
If you refuse to participate, your case will be closed.
In most cases, no. The QC review usually confirms that your benefits are correct.
If the review finds your benefits are too low: You'll receive additional benefits going forward, and may receive back payments.
If the review finds your benefits are too high: Your benefits will be adjusted to the correct amount. You must repay overpayments, but we can work with you on a payment plan.
If everything is accurate: Your benefits continue unchanged.
No. QC reviewers are separate from your regular eligibility workers. They are independent reviewers who specialize in quality control.
This separation ensures unbiased reviews. Your regular case worker will still handle your ongoing case, while the QC reviewer only conducts the one-time review.
It's possible. Since QC cases are selected randomly, you could be selected again. However, the chances are low since we review only a small percentage of cases each year.
Here's what to do:
The QC reviewer's job is to help you through the process, not to make it difficult. They want you to succeed.
A disaster can trigger issuance of a few different kinds of emergency SNAP benefits. These include:
No, current SNAP recipients are not eligible for D-SNAP and do not need to complete a D-SNAP application.
From time to time, LDH sends text messages to SNAP recipients and/or applicants with helpful information regarding benefits or other updates, as appropriate. To confirm the legitimacy of a message, you can contact LAHELP-U at 888-524-3578.
You can opt out by replying with StopTEXT or STOP.
LDH is actively trying different messaging to gather information to determine which experiences work best for clients.
It depends on your phone plan. If you have a plan that charges for text messages, it will charge you the same as it would for any text message. Most phone plans, including those provided by the government, don’t charge for individual text messages.
Follow these steps:
It is illegal to sell, trade or give away your SNAP benefits, PIN or Louisiana EBT card; to allow a retailer to buy your food benefits in exchange for cash; and to use someone else's SNAP benefits or Louisiana EBT card for your household. If you are found guilty of intentional program violations, you will be disqualified from SNAP benefits and will have to pay back any unauthorized SNAP benefits issued.
If you listed a physical address for your DSNAP EBT card, your card can take 3-5 Business Days for delivery. DSNAP cards are being delivered by U.S. Postal Service. Due to the heavy volume, the card may be delayed.
If you listed a P.O. Box for your DSNAP EBT card, it is being delivered by regular mail delivery, which can take up to 7-10 business days for delivery.
NOTE: The DSNAP EBT card will be sent separately from your benefits approval letter.
If you don't receive your card in your expected timeframe, please contact our LAHelpU Customer Service Center at 888-524-3578 or [email protected].
You can call LAHelpU from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., M-F, except on holidays. To speak with a customer service representative, select your language, then press option 6 and listen for the appropriate prompt. Tip: Call volumes are lightest in the first and last hours of the day.
If you send an email, provide your name as it appears in our records, your contact information, date of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You should also include a brief description of your situation and reason for writing, as well as a descriptive subject line. Our staff will respond as quickly as possible, but they receive a great volume of requests. Please allow at least three or four business days for a response.
This could happen for a couple of reasons:
If neither of these reasons applies, please call the LAHelpU Customer Service Center at 888-524-3578 to speak with someone about your case.
To activate your DSNAP EBT card, call the EBT customer service line at 888-997-1117, enter your 16-digit card number, and then listen for the option to select or reset your PIN. To set your PIN, you will need the last four digits of the Social Security number, date of birth and zip code for the mailing address of the Head of Household.
If the Head of Household did not provide a Social Security number during the DSNAP application process, the cardholder will need to call the LAHelpU Customer Service Center at 888-524-3578 to get the number needed to set the PIN and activate the DSNAP EBT card.
NOTE: If you have an EBT card for another program (such as a card from an old or denied SNAP case), you must first enter the 16-digit card number from your DSNAP EBT card before setting your PIN. Otherwise, the system may pull up your old SNAP account instead of your DSNAP account.
PIN Options
Please note that PINs selected with any of the below patterns are not allowed:
Call the LAHelpU Customer Service Center at 888-524-3578 to report your card lost and request a new one.
Search and download the app from the app store (Apple App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android devices).
To register, you must have an active SNAP or TANF (FITAP or KCSP) case. Assuming you have an active case, you will also need the following:
You will then select security questions, create a password and select a PIN (unless you already have one).
Yes, the app is free to download and use.
You can access some of the app's features online at www.LifeInCheckEBT.com. You can also get information on your SNAP or TANF (FITAP or KCSP) case(s) through the CAFE Self-Service Portal.
LDH also sends alerts about program updates or other important information through text messages if we have a current mobile number on file for you. You can help ensure you receive these messages by updating your contact information in the CAFÉ portal.
Federal law requires that the personal information of recipients of SNAP and other federal benefits be kept confidential and secure. Information that must be kept secure includes recipient names, Social Security numbers, benefit amounts, user IDs, passwords, PINs and personal account numbers.
In the case of SNAP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) developed guidelines to ensure certain security controls are in place to protect recipients' information. The guidelines are based on both federal regulations and industry best practices.
User IDs, passwords and PINs are just some of the ways clients' personal information is safeguarded. The computer systems used to issue benefits and process EBT transactions are also put through rigorous testing and trial runs with FNS before they can be used to handle benefits. That includes the systems that issue benefits (on the LDH side) and process EBT transactions (on the vendor side), and the mobile app, which communicates with the EBT system and therefore must also be secure.
For more information, please read Inmar's privacy policy at www.inmar.com/privacy-policy.
The LifeInCheck EBT app was developed by Inmar Intelligence, the department's EBT contractor, with the goal of helping recipients manage their benefits in a way that is more efficient and convenient for them.
The LifeInCheck EBT app was developed by Inmar Intelligence, which is directly contracted with LDH. Other available apps are not reviewed and approved by LDH, so the information displayed can potentially be inaccurate and/or outdated.
Some unique features on the LifeInCheck EBT app include:
If you are locked out of the LifeInCheck app, you must email [email protected] with the following information:
Your account will be unlocked and unregistered automatically within two (2) business days. You will then need to re-register. Your account will not be unlocked unless you supply all of the requested information.