Louisiana - The Louisiana Department of Health will begin distributing federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to eligible recipients starting Nov. 7, while SNAP offices have reopened following the end of staff furloughs.
Recipients across Louisiana will receive approximately 50% of their typical SNAP benefits, depending on household size, according to an LDH announcement released Nov. 5, 2025. The distribution comes despite an ongoing government shutdown in Washington, D.C., as the U.S. Department of Agriculture has committed funding for the nutrition assistance program.
Benefits will be distributed on recipients' regular distribution days. Louisiana residents who received state-funded emergency SNAP assistance between Nov. 1-4, specifically elderly individuals and people with disabilities, will also receive federal benefits on Nov. 7.
Any unused federal SNAP benefits from previous months remain available on recipients' Electronic Benefits Transfer cards, according to LDH.
SNAP Recipients Must Maintain Program Requirements
Eligible SNAP recipients do not need to take any action to receive their benefits. However, recipients must continue meeting all program requirements to maintain eligibility.
The department outlined three key requirements:
Recipients must report any household changes as they occur. Simplified reporting or recertification paperwork must be completed when applicable. All requested verification documents should be submitted through one of three methods: by mail to the LDH ES Document Processing Center at P.O. Box 260031, Baton Rouge, LA 70826; in person at any LDH ES parish office; or by fax to 225-663-3164.
WIC Services Continue Without Interruption
Louisiana's Women, Infants, and Children program continues operating normally after receiving contingency funds from the USDA. WIC food packages and services, including nutrition education and breastfeeding support, have not been modified or reduced.
Families enrolled in WIC should attend scheduled appointments and use November WIC EBT benefits at authorized grocery stores as usual. The WIC State Agency, operating within the Office of Public Health, is monitoring the situation to ensure uninterrupted services.
LDH stated it will immediately notify WIC clinics, participants and vendors if any changes occur.
SNAP Office Operations Resume
The USDA's announcement of funding for state administrative expenses enabled LDH to end furloughs for all SNAP employees and reopen all SNAP offices effective Nov. 5. The offices had been closed as the department navigated federal funding uncertainty during the government shutdown.
The return of SNAP staff allows Louisiana residents to access in-person services at parish offices throughout the state for assistance with applications, recertification and document submission.