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Secure .gov websites use HTTPS LDH is moving forward with a plan to distribute food benefits on EBT cards tomorrow. If the USDA, who administers the SNAP program, is prepared and ready to move money into states’ accounts this evening, we will use federal dollars to fund SNAP recipients’ accounts. If they are not ready, LDH will proceed with our state-funded program to provide food assistance to the elderly, the disabled, and households with children through their existing EBT cards.
October 31, 2025 LDH announces state-funded emergency SNAP assistance distribution schedule, SNAP staff furloughsRecipients must continue to meet all program requirements on time to keep their federal eligibility
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, - The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is announcing the distribution schedule for state-funded emergency assistance to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households that include the elderly, disabled, or children. The Department is also announcing SNAP staff furloughs.
Households consisting only of able-bodied adults will not receive state-funded emergency assistance. Any unused SNAP benefits from previous months will remain on all recipients’ Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards and can be utilized as usual.
Every SNAP-eligible household has a set day of the month when benefits are issued. Starting November 1, 25% of the SNAP household benefit allotment will be provided as state-funded emergency assistance on the assigned date that SNAP benefits are normally issued.
An additional 25% of the benefit amount will be provided to each household every seven days for the month of November, as long as the federal government shutdown continues. Following is an example of the issuance schedule:
EXAMPLE: Household Benefit Amount = $200
| Normal benefit issuance day: November 1 | 25% of benefit = $50 |
| Seven days later: November 8 | 25% of benefit = $50 |
| Seven days later: November 15 | 25% of benefit = $50 |
| Seven days later: November 22 | 25% of benefit = $50 |
| TOTAL STATE BENEFIT PROVIDED | $200 |
Eligible SNAP recipients do not need to take action to receive state-funded emergency assistance. However, SNAP recipients must continue to meet all program requirements on time to continue their federal SNAP eligibility.
- Report household changes: Continue to report any changes to your household circumstances.
- Complete paperwork: Ensure you complete simplified reporting or recertification paperwork, if applicable.
- Submit verification: Submit any requested verification documents:
- By mail to the LDH ES Document Processing Center, P.O. Box 260031, Baton Rouge, LA 70826; or
- By fax to 225-663-3164.
Food banks
SNAP recipients who won’t receive state-funded emergency assistance should contact their local food bank for help. The Department also encourages Louisiana residents able to donate to support their local food banks and fellow Louisianans.
LDH employee furloughs
The Department has furloughed 786 SNAP employees due to the federal government shutdown, effective Monday, November 3. Two hundred ninety-eight employees are essential staff and will not be furloughed. The furlough will continue until the federal government shutdown in Washington, D.C., ends.
The Louisiana Department of Health is closely monitoring the federal government shutdown and will provide updates to retailers and beneficiaries directly as they become available.