SNAP Benefits for Louisiana Residents to Increase on October 1

Residents in Louisiana who receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (or SNAP) will see an increase in those benefits starting this Sunday, October 1.

Benefits are expected to climb by about 3% for the next 12 months.

Why the increase?

The benefits are increasing to try to keep up with the cost of living due to inflation.

How are benefits calculated?

SNAP benefits are determined by how much a household makes per month and the number of people living there.

A single person can qualify for SNAP benefits if their income is $1,580 or less a month. A family of four, for example, can earn no more than $3,250 per month to qualify.

What are the new benefit amounts?

Here are the new maximum SNAP benefits, starting October 1, 2023:

• One person will be $291
• A family of 2 will be $535
• A family of 3 will be $766
• A family of 4 can be allotted $973

Each additional person adds $219.

What can be purchased with SNAP?

SNAP benefits can be used to purchase the following:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products
• Bread and cereals
• Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants, produce food for the household to eat

What cannot be purchased with SNAP?

• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements. If an item has a Supplement Facts label, it is considered a supplement and is not eligible for SNAP purchase.
• Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from the water, and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store).
• Prepared foods fit for immediate consumption
• Hot foods
• Any non-food items such as:
  • Pet foods
  • Cleaning supplies, paper products, and other household supplies
  • Hygiene items, cosmetics.

To learn more about SNAP benefits, click here.