Louisiana to resume full SNAP benefits next week

The entrance to the Big Lots store in Portland, Oregon. (Stock image by hapabapa/Getty Images)

With the end of the federal government shutdown, Louisiana has made plans to resume distributing food aid to those in need.

The Louisiana Department of Health said Thursday it will distribute 100% of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds to eligible recipients who have not received their November benefits scheduled for next week. As for those who received 65% of their aid during the closure period, they will receive the remaining 35% next week.

The Landry administration reallocated Health Department funds to make up for the loss of SNAP benefits at the beginning of November, when there was no end in sight to the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1. The state has set a schedule to distribute 25% of benefits weekly, with priority given to the elderly and disabled who typically get their money early in the month. The Health Ministry said anyone who received a quarter of state-funded aid from November 1 to 4 will keep that amount and receive the rest of their benefits this month.

SNAP beneficiaries will receive their benefits on the regular distribution day of the month, based on the last digit of the head of household’s Social Security number.