3 Ways To Qualify For Emergency Food Stamps In Louisiana

---

In this community resource guide, I’ll discuss 3 financial situations that might make you eligible for emergency food stamps in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Health And Human Services Department usually takes 30 days to evaluate someone for food stamps, but in cases of urgency, they may speed up the process and deliver SNAP benefits to you even faster.

There are three circumstances when the Louisiana food stamp program may certify you for food stamps faster than usual. It’s conceivable that it can do so in as little as 7 days. 

Continue reading to learn about the circumstances that might get your Louisiana food stamp application expedited.

What Are Louisiana Emergency Food Stamps?

Emergency food stamps offer the same food assistance benefits as regular food stamps. However, the difference is that with expedited food stamps, you will receive these faster. Emergency food stamps were set up to help individuals who are in an immediate crisis and need food assistance as soon as possible.

How Quick Can I Receive Expedited Food Stamps In Louisiana?

You can potentially receive your emergency SNAP benefits within 7 days if you are eligible. This is according to the actual Louisiana food stamp application.

Compare this timeframe to the 30-day timeframe that it typically takes the Louisiana Health and Human Services Department to approve food stamps. 

3 Ways To Qualify For Emergency Food Stamps In Louisiana

In Louisiana, expedited food stamp approval depends on 3 situations. The following are 3 financial situations that might qualify you for quicker food stamp benefits:

1. Being a migrant worker to seasonal farm worker.
2. Having less than $100 on hand or less than $150 in your checking account.
3. If your expenses (housing, utilities) are more than the income you expect to receive this month.

In the following sections, I will talk more about the above 3 financial situations that can qualify you for expedited food stamps in Louisiana.

1.) Being A Seasonal Or Migrant Worker

In Louisiana, if you are a seasonal or migrant worker with a low income, this alone could qualify you for expedited food stamps.

Editor’s Note: I’ve examined food stamp applications from many other states outside of Louisiana, and being a migrant worker or seasonal farmer seems to be a situation that qualifies you for emergency SNAP in most other states.

There is a specific question on the Louisiana SNAP application that asks about your status as either a migrant worker or a seasonal farmer.

2.) Having Less Than $100 On Hand Or $150 In A Bank Account

Another situation that could potentially qualify you for Louisiana emergency food stamps is having an extremely low income and no prospects of receiving more income in the near future.

Specifically, if you have less than $100 of cash on hand or you have less than $150 in your checking account, then you could potentially get emergency food stamps in Louisiana.

3.) Your Expenses Are More Than Your Monthly Income

The last way to get emergency SNAP benefits in Louisiana is if your monthly expenses exceed your monthly income. For example, if your rent, mortgage, and utilities exceed the amount of money that you make from your job each month. This scenario could qualify you for expedited food stamps.

If this situation pertains to you, there will be a question on the Louisiana food stamp application that you can answer to indicate that your monthly expenses are more than your monthly income.

Questions To Answer On The Louisiana Food Stamp Application

If you want to get your food stamp application expedited, you will need to pay close attention to the questions in the screenshot below. It is this section of the SNAP application that will alert the Louisiana Human Services Department that you could qualify for emergency SNAP benefits in Louisiana. 

Penalties For Lying On A Louisiana Food Stamp Application

If you are caught lying on your food stamp application, there are penalties that you will face. These penalties can include a fine, imprisonment, or both. Lying on your application is a serious offense, and at best can result in you being denied benefits. At worse, you can be sentenced to prison, like this man from Beaumont, Texas who received 27 years for food stamp fraud.

If you are found to have lied on your application, you may also be required to pay back any benefits that you received. It is important to be honest when applying for food stamps, as penalties for lying can be severe.

Although we have just outlined the 3 scenarios where you may be approved for expedited food stamps, you still want to be honest. This information should not be used dishonestly. The $400 a month in food stamp benefits are certainly not worth jail time, so be honest when completing your SNAP application.

How To Apply For Louisiana Emergency Food Stamps

To apply for emergency food stamps, you complete the same application as you would if you were seeking regular food stamp benefits.

You can apply for benefits via:

• The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services website.
• Calling 888.524.3578.
• Or visiting a Louisiana food stamp office.

Conclusion

There are 3 situations that can qualify you for emergency food stamps in Louisiana and those are if

1. You are a migrant worker or seasonal farmer.
2. You have less than $100 in cash on hand or less than $150 in the bank.
3. Your monthly expenses exceed your monthly income.

If you find yourself meeting one of these qualifications, you can apply for emergency food stamps via the Louisiana Health and Human Services website by calling 888.524.3578, or by visiting a Louisiana food stamp office.

Be honest when completing your application, as penalties for lying can be severe and include jail time and fines.

Emergency food stamps can be a lifeline for those in need, and we hope this guide has helped you to understand the process of applying to get expedited SNAP benefits in Louisiana.

Similar Articles That May Interest You:

• How To Use The Louisiana Food Stamp Calculator To Determine Your Monthly Benefits
• What Is The Food Stamp Income Limit In Louisiana? 
• How To Replace A Lost Louisiana Purchase Card (In 3 Days)

• How Long Does It Take To Get A Louisiana EBT Card In The Mail?

• Find Low Income Apartments In New Orleans With No Waitlist 
• How To Get Your Louisiana Marriage License