Governor Jeff Landry says because of legislation approved in the special session, disabled people, children and the elderly who rely on cash assistance through the SNAP program will continue to receive their benefits, despite the federal government shutdown. Landry says Louisiana is able to do this, because it’s been fiscally responsible.
“We have been fiscally responsible in the way that we have managed the affairs of our state government, which gives us an opportunity to be able to act with compassion and reason,” Landry said.
There are about 800,000 people in Louisiana who rely on the SNAP program to purchase food.
But Landry says Louisiana will not use state dollars on 53,000 able-bodied adults who receive SNAP. He encourages those individuals to take advantage of the 100,000 jobs that are available in the state.
“My message to able-bodied people who may not be employed but who have been utilizing this program, is that you should go out and search for one of those jobs,” Landry said.
For November, the funding for the SNAP will come from the Louisiana Department of Health, which administers the program. Landry says to free up the cash, they are closing SNAP offices.
“The state pays 50% of those salaries, and that allows us to then take that 50% SGF money and help to fund people, so that we feed the elderly, the disabled and children,” Landry explained.
If the federal government shutdown continues into December, the state is prepared to dip into its rainy-day fund. Landry says food banks will also play a role in making sure SNAP recipients do not go hungry.
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