Baton Rouge, Louisiana - Following last week’s severe winter storm, state and federal agencies are rolling out financial assistance for Louisiana families and small businesses across affected parishes.

Gov. Jeff Landry announced that the state is coordinating closely with federal partners to speed up relief efforts.

“Louisiana families and small businesses were hit hard during this winter weather. We have been working side by side with President Trump, Secretary Rollins, Administrator Loeffler, SBA Regional Administrator Justin Crossie, and our Louisiana delegation to ensure help gets to the people who need it most here in Louisiana,” Landry said.

The relief package focuses on two main areas: low-interest disaster loans for small businesses through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for eligible households in certain parishes.

SBA Disaster Loans Open To Louisiana Small Businesses

Small businesses impacted by the winter storm can now apply for SBA disaster loans to help cover recovery costs. These federal loans are designed to help business owners repair damage, replace lost inventory, and bridge gaps in operating expenses when a disaster disrupts normal business activity.

Where To Apply

Applications are available online at:
lending.sba.gov

The SBA platform allows business owners to complete and submit their applications electronically, which can speed up processing compared with paper forms.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for these SBA disaster loans is:
November 2

Business owners are being encouraged to apply as early as possible so they have time to correct any missing information and respond to follow-up requests from the SBA before the deadline.

Parishes Covered By The Disaster Declaration

The disaster declaration applies to 19 parishes in northeast Louisiana. The affected area stretches:

• From West Carroll Parish in the north,
• South to Concordia Parish, and
• West to the Bossier Parish and Caddo Parish area.

These parishes were included based on the extent of winter storm damage reported to state and federal authorities. The declaration opens the door to federal financial assistance, with the SBA program serving as a key tool to help small businesses stabilize and rebuild.

While exact loan terms, such as interest rates and maximum amounts, are determined by federal policy and individual eligibility, SBA disaster loans are typically structured to be more affordable than standard commercial loans, especially for businesses facing hardship after a disaster.

SNAP Recipients In Eight Parishes To Receive Extra Benefits

In addition to business relief, the state is providing added food assistance to residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP. SNAP helps low-income households buy groceries, and extra support after a disaster can help families replace food that spoiled during power outages or was lost due to unsafe conditions.

Parishes Receiving Additional SNAP Support

SNAP recipients in the following parishes will automatically receive more benefits:

• Caldwell Parish
• DeSoto Parish
• East Carroll Parish
• Jackson Parish
• Ouachita Parish
• Red River Parish
• Richland Parish
• West Carroll Parish

These parishes experienced impacts from the winter storm significant enough for the state to approve additional SNAP assistance.

Amount And Timing Of Extra Benefits

The state will provide:

• An additional 20 percent of January SNAP benefits
• Applied automatically to existing SNAP recipients in the listed parishes
• Covering approximately 51,500 people

Recipients do not need to file a separate application for this increase. The additional benefits will be loaded directly onto existing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which recipients already use to buy food.

The extra 20 percent in benefits is scheduled to appear on EBT cards by February 11, giving households a modest but important boost to help cover food costs as they recover from storm-related disruptions.

Coordinated State And Federal Response

Gov. Landry emphasized that the response is a joint effort between Louisiana and federal leaders and agencies. The governor cited collaboration with:

• President Trump
• Secretary Rollins
• Administrator Loeffler
• SBA Regional Administrator Justin Crossie
• Members of the Louisiana congressional delegation

While details on each official’s role were not provided, this type of coordination typically involves:

• Confirming disaster declarations,
• Opening pathways for federal funding, and
• Aligning state and federal programs so that assistance can reach communities more quickly.

The combination of SBA disaster loans for small businesses and expanded SNAP benefits for families is intended to address both economic and basic-needs challenges created by the winter storm.

What Residents And Business Owners Should Do Next

Small business owners in the covered parishes should:

• Visit lending.sba.gov
• Review the SBA disaster loan application requirements
• Submit applications before the November 2 deadline

Keeping records of storm-related damage, including photos and receipts, can help support applications and clarify financial needs.

SNAP recipients in:

Caldwell, DeSoto, East Carroll, Jackson, Ouachita, Red River, Richland, and West Carroll Parishes:

• Do not need to take any action to receive the extra benefits
• Should see an additional 20 percent of their January benefit amount added to their EBT cards
• Can expect the additional funds by February 11

Residents who do not see the extra amount on their cards by that date may wish to contact the state’s SNAP office to confirm eligibility and resolve any issues.

Outlook For Louisiana’s Recovery

The severe winter weather placed strain on both families and businesses in northeast Louisiana, disrupting daily life and local economies. The newly announced measures aim to:

• Support small businesses through federal SBA disaster loans
• Help households manage food costs through increased SNAP benefits in selected parishes

State officials have framed these actions as part of a broader recovery effort that will continue as damage assessments are refined and additional needs are identified. For now, the focus is on helping those directly impacted stabilize their finances and begin rebuilding after the storm.