PRESS RELEASE Department of Social Services Opening Three More Disaster Food Stamp Sites The Department recognizes the efforts of local city officials and organizations that have assisted in preparing sites of operation in making sure that all families in need have access to sites near their places of residence. In one week of operation, including days where many sites were shuttered due to Hurricane Ike, more than 255,000 applications have been received since the program began on September 9th, 2008. As of close of operations Sunday DSS had provided benefits to 157,678 households and issued cards with more than $62,936,076 in benefits posted. New sites open tomorrow in Catahoula, Grant and LaSalle parishes. All three will operate from 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily.
The following sites will continue to operate on Tuesday September 16th. Please make note of the locations highlighted in bold with extended hours of operation from 6:00AM - 8:00PM Daily. All other sites have regular hours of operation from 8:00AM - 8:00PM Daily. The Allen Parish Civic Center site will close permanently at the end of business Monday. DSS will move operations to the Allen Parish OFS. Hours of operation will be from 8:00AM – 8:00PM Daily. CURRENT DFSP APPLICATION SITES
Applicants are asked to continue to monitor DSS’s website as well as news reports for the most current information regarding site openings, hours of operation, eligibility and information required to fill out the application forms. Participants in the regular state Food Stamp Program do not need to apply for disaster aid because any revised benefits will automatically be added to their current Electronic Benefit card. Individuals with disabilities can designate an authorized representative to apply for Disaster Food Stamps on their behalf. Also, each site manager has developed special procedures for assisting the disabled. Applicants with these special needs should make themselves known to the site manager or staff at the site In order to help the elderly and disabled, Council on Aging staff members have been trained to administer Disaster Food Stamps. People 60 years of age or older should contact their local parish Councils on Aging for the nearest Disaster Food Stamp Assistance Application Site for seniors. If the local Council on Aging is not available, seniors should contact the Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs at 1-877-340-9100. For more information about the Disaster Food Stamps Program and other DSS services visit: www.dss.state.la.us or call 1-888-LAHELPU (1-888-524-3578). ###
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