BATON ROUGE — Governor Jeff Landry announced Wednesday that Louisiana families who depend on food stamps will see their benefits interrupted beginning November 1 if the federal government shutdown drags on, a disruption that could affect hundreds of thousands of residents across the state.
Recipients will not receive their regular monthly payments next month, though they can still spend whatever balance remains on their Electronic Benefit Transfer cards from prior distributions, state officials said.
"SNAP benefits are paid for by the federal government in Washington, and we simply administer the program here in Louisiana," Landry said in a statement. "Without the funds, we cannot provide the benefits."
The Louisiana Department of Health plans to begin contacting affected households this week to warn them about the November gap in assistance. The agency has also prepared signage for grocery stores to post, alerting shoppers that no fresh SNAP funds will be available.
According to federal data, Louisiana has one of the highest rates of SNAP participation in the nation. In fiscal year 2024, an estimated 847,100 Louisianans — roughly 18 percent of the state's population — received food assistance each month.
That figure represents a gradual decline from the pandemic-era high of nearly 900,000 participants, but still reflects heavy reliance on the program in a state where poverty rates remain among the highest in the country.
If the lapse occurs, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will be unable to issue new benefits for November. However, households can continue using any funds already loaded onto their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
In Livingston Parish, state records show about 9,200 active SNAP cases and more than 19,700 individual recipients, with roughly $3.9 million in monthly benefits distributed earlier this year.
U.S. Census data from 2022 estimated 20,068 residents in the parish received SNAP benefits, which equals about 13 percent of the population. The parish's poverty rate stands near 13 percent, compared to roughly 19 percent statewide.
A potential lapse in SNAP funding could hit working families especially hard in rural and suburban areas, where grocery costs have climbed sharply since 2021. Local food banks and churches say they are preparing for an influx of requests for emergency food aid if the program is interrupted.
The governor called out Congress, specifically calling on the U.S. Senate to pass funding legislation. He praised the U.S. House under Speaker Mike Johnson for advancing a bill that would end the impasse.
Residents seeking more information can visit dcshutdown.la.gov, a state website created to track developments related to the shutdown's impact on Louisiana services.
The crisis extends far beyond Louisiana's borders. Nationwide, more than 40 million Americans depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for groceries. Federal agriculture officials warned state administrators in an October 10 letter that funding would run dry for November payments unless Congress acts.
