Louisiana – Governor Jeff Landry announced that Louisiana residents receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not receive new funds beginning Nov. 1, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown in Washington, D.C. Any remaining benefits from previous months will remain available for use.
According to the governor’s office, hundreds of thousands of Louisianans rely on SNAP benefits, with a USDA update earlier this year reporting that more than 16 percent of the state’s population receives assistance through the program.
“The U.S. Senate is failing to open the federal government in Washington, D.C. SNAP benefits are paid for by the federal government, and we simply administer the program here in Louisiana,” Governor Landry said. “Without the funds, we cannot provide the benefits. The U.S. House under Speaker Mike Johnson has already acted to reopen the government. Our U.S. Senators representing Louisiana have voted to do their part. Now it is time for those U.S. Senators under Democrat Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to vote yes and reopen the federal government.”
The Louisiana Department of Health, which oversees the state’s SNAP program, will begin notifying recipients this week that November benefits will not be added to their cards until the federal government reopens. The department is also providing notices for retailers to display, informing customers that new SNAP funds are currently unavailable.
“All Louisiana SNAP recipients should be aware that there will be no new benefits added to their cards starting Nov. 1 unless the federal government reopens,” said Bruce D. Greenstein, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health. “We will do all we can to ensure recipients and retailers are informed and prepared.”
Residents can access updated information about SNAP benefits and other affected federal services at dcshutdown.la.gov.