Louisiana: 23 Sites Across State Available to Receive Food Stamp Applications Today

BATON ROUGE (September 13, 2008) – On Sunday September 14th the Department of Social Services (DSS) will have 23 sites in operation where eligible Louisiana residents affected by Hurricane Gustav can apply for the Federal Disaster Food Stamp program.

DSS recognizes the efforts of local city officials and organizations that have assisted in preparing sites of operation that have been closed due to Hurricane Ike.

The following sites will be open as of Sunday Sept. 14th:
Alario Center – Jefferson Parish
New Orleans Convention Center – Orleans Parish
East Baton Rouge OFS – East Baton Rouge Parish
Captiol High School – East Baton Rouge Parish
E. Feliciana Parish Early Childhood Learning Center – E. Feliciana Parish
Plaquemine Civic Center – Iberville Parish
St. Gabriel Community Center – Iberville Parish
W. Baton Rouge OFS – W. Baton Rouge Parish

W. Feliciana Parish Parks and Recreation Center – W. Feliciana
North Park – Livingston Parish
Castine Center – St. Tammany Parish
Amite Community Center – Tangipahoa Parish
African American Heritage Museum – Tangipahoa Parish
Sorrento Civic Center – Ascension Parish
West Bank Reception Center – St. James Parish
New Wine Fellowship – St. John Parish
Blackham Coliseum – Lafayette Parish
Allen Parish Civic ! Center – Allen Parish
Avoyelles OFS – Avoyelles Parish
Alexandria Mall (Stein Mart) – Rapides Parish
Bossier OFS – Bossier Parish
Caddo OFS – Caddo Parish
Ouachita OFS – Ouachita Parish

As of Monday, September 15th an additional 16 sites will be open to the public:
St. Patrick’s Family Life Center – Plaquemines Parish
Christian Fellowship -St. Bernard Parish
Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church – E. Baton Rouge Parish
Pointe Coupee Multi Use Center – Pointe Coupee Parish
St. Helena OFS – St. Helena Parish
Community Worship Center – Assumption Parish
Peltier Park – Lafourche Parish
Bayou Centroplex – Lafourche Parish
St. Charles Parish OFS – St. Charles Parish
Bayou Black Recreation Center – Terrebonne Parish
Kirschman’s Building – Terrebonne Parish
Acadia OFS – Acadia Parish
Our Lady Queen of All Saints Family Life Center – Evangeline Parish
Sacred Heart Church Hall – St. Mary Parish
St. Theresa Catholic Church Hall – Vermillion Parish
Rapides Parish OFS – Rapides Parish

Applicants are askedto monitor http://www.dss.state.la.us as well as news reports for the most current information regarding site openings and hours of operation.

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 Transfer 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 special needs should make themselves known to the site manager or staff at the site

In order to help the elderly, 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 information about the schedules of the sites and to learn who is eligible to receive Disaster Food Stamps visit: http://www.dss.state.la.us or call 1-888-LAHELPU (1-888-524-3578).

For the latest information on Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, visit emergency.louisiana.gov or call the state’s emergency hotline at 1-866-288-2484 to listen to a recorded message with the most up-to-date information.

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Source: “Press Release:  Department of Social Services Announces 23 Sites Available To Receive Emergency Food Stamp Applications On Sunday, Sept. 14.”  State of Louisiana.  13 September 2008.

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