The income limit is the most important food stamps (SNAP) eligibility requirement in Louisiana. In this post, In this post, we are going to walk you through the 2023 income limit for Louisiana food stamps, including how to calculate how much you will receive in SNAP benefits if approved.
Additionally, we will provide information on how to apply for food stamps in Louisiana.
Lastly, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about SNAP benefits in Louisiana.
Table of Contents:
- Food Stamps in Louisiana
- Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in Louisiana
- 2023 Income Limit for Louisiana Food Stamps
- How to Apply for Food Stamps in Louisiana
- Food Stamps in Louisiana FAQs
Food Stamps in Louisiana
SNAP (also known as food stamps) offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families in Louisiana.
In Louisiana, the SNAP program is run by the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS).
Once you are approved, SNAP benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, that is used as a debit card.
EBT cards are accepted at most grocery stores, some farmers’ markets, convenience, big box stores, and some online stores, like Walmart and Amazon.
SNAP benefits generally cannot be used to buy prepared foods, vitamins, alcohol/tobacco, and non-food items (like soap or toothpaste).
Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in Louisiana?
To be eligible for SNAP in Louisiana, a household must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be a citizen or legal immigrant
- Must be a Louisiana resident
- Your household income must be less than the food stamps income limits for your household size (see chart below)
- With some exceptions, you must work or participate in an employment and training program
- For most households, resources must be under $2,750 to qualify for SNAP or $4,250 in countable resources if at least one member of the household is age 60 or older, or is disabled
2023 Income Limit for Louisiana Food Stamps
To qualify for SNAP in Louisiana, your household income must not exceed 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
You can find out if you may qualify by using the 2023/2024 table below.
Income limits vary according to household size.
Households that contain no elderly or disabled individuals must meet both the gross (income before deduction) and the net income (income after allowable deductions) limits.
However, households that contain an elderly (age 60 or over) individual or a disabled individual must meet only the net income limits.
See the table below for both the net and gross income limits according to household size.
| Louisiana Food Stamps Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2024 | |||
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | |||
| Household Size | Monthly Net Income Limit (100% of FPL) |
Monthly Gross Income Limit (130% of FPL) |
Monthly Gross Income Limit (200% of FPL) |
| 1 | $1,215 | $1,580 | $2,430 |
| 2 | $1,644 | $2,137 | $3,288 |
| 3 | $2,072 | $2,694 | $4,144 |
| 4 | $2,500 | $3,250 | $5,000 |
| 5 | $2,929 | $3,807 | $5,858 |
| 6 | $3,357 | $4,364 | $6,714 |
| 7 | $3,785 | $4,921 | $7,570 |
| 8 | $4,214 | $5,478 | $8,428 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | $429 | $557 | $858 |
How to Apply for Food Stamps in Louisiana
There are multiple ways you can apply for food stamps in Louisiana.
Option 1 – Apply Online
The easiest way to apply for SNAP benefits is online through the Louisiana CAFÉ Customer Portal.
Click here for the Louisiana CAFÉ Customer Portal.
If you do not have an account, click on the “Click here to get started!” link for instructions on how to set up an account.
For help in creating a CAFÉ Customer Portal account, see our post on How to Create a Louisiana CAFÉ Account.
If you are having trouble logging into your CAFÉ Customer Portal, see our guide on
Louisiana CAFÉ Login Help.
Option 2 – Apply by Mail or Fax an Application
To apply by mail or fax, download the SNAP application here.
Once you have completed the application, you can submit it by mail or fax.
Instructions on how to do so are included in the application.
Also, you can request an application to be mailed to you by calling 1-888-524-3578.
Option 3 – Apply in Person
If you are unable to apply online or by mail, the DCFS has offices statewide to assist you with the application process.
Click here to find your local office.
Food Stamps in Louisiana FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Louisiana Food Stamps:
What is the Phone Number for Louisiana Food Stamps?
If you need help applying for food stamps in Louisiana or have further questions about how the SNAP program works, call Customer Call Center at Customer Service: 1-888-LAHELPU (1-888-524-3578).
How Much Will I Receive in Louisiana Food Stamps?
If you are approved for food stamps in Louisiana, how much in benefits you get partly depends on the:
- Number of people in your household,
- The total amount of your household’s income, and
- U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan.
The Thrifty Food Plan is a government estimate of how much it costs to provide a household with nutritious, low-cost meals.
In Louisiana, the average monthly SNAP amount per person is approximately $265.
| Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Fiscal Year 2024 | |
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | |
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
| 1 | $291 |
| 2 | $535 |
| 3 | $766 |
| 4 | $973 |
| 5 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $1,386 |
| 7 | $1,532 |
| 8 | $1,751 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $219 |
To find out how much you are likely to get in Louisiana SNAP if approved, use the calculator below.
In the example provided below, we are using a family of 6 to demonstrate how to calculate your food stamps amount.
How Louisiana Food Stamps Calculator
Here’s how to calculate how much a family of 6 will get in SNAP benefits.
First, we need to start with the household income.
If you have a countable net income, multiply your net monthly income by 0.3 (30 percent).
Round up this amount to the nearest dollar.
Next, take this amount and subtract it from the maximum benefit level for a household of your size.
From the table above, the maximum a household of 6 could receive in food stamps is $1,339
The result is the monthly food stamps benefits for a family of 6.
Here’s an example:
Example: Susan and his family of six (6) have $2,000 in net income after allowable deductions.
To determine the family’s SNAP benefits, take 30% of the “net income” (30% of $2,000) and subtract it from the maximum benefit, as follows:
$2000 Net Income for Susan’s family
x .30 (Multiply by 30%)
$600 Countable Income
$1,386 Maximum SNAP for 6 persons
-$600 Countable income (round up)
$786 Monthly SNAP benefits for Susan’s family
When are Louisiana EBT benefits deposited?
Louisiana food stamps benefits are deposited on your LA EBT Card on your scheduled deposit day between the 1st and the 23rd of each month.
Your Louisiana EBT Deposit Date varies based on the last digit of your Social Security Number (SSN).
Food Stamp benefits are sent to your Louisiana EBT Card account at 5am on your scheduled deposit day.
Here is the Louisiana SNAP EBT Deposit Schedule for 2023:
| If your SSN ends in: | Your benefits will be available on the: |
| 0 | 5th of the month |
| 1 | 7th of the month |
| 2 | 9th of the month |
| 3 | 11th of the month |
| 4 | 13th of every month |
| 5 | 15th of every month |
| 6 | 17th of every month |
| 7 | 19th of every month |
| 8 | 21st of every month |
| 9 | 23rd of every month |
If any household member is elderly or disabled, they will receive their benefits between the 1st and 4th of each month.
How Many People are on Food Stamps in Louisiana?
| Number of People on Food Stamps in Louisiana | |||
| As of September 2022 | |||
| September 2021 | September 2022 | Change | |
| Number of People | 972,648 | 841,236 | -13.5% |
| Number of Households | 470,949 | 408,869 | -13.2% |
| Total Benefits ($) | $268,616,241.00 | $210,309,843.00 | -21.7% |
United States Food Stamps Statistics for January 2023:
| Number of People on Food Stamps in The United States | |||
| As of September 2022 | |||
| September 2021 | September 2022 | Change | |
| Number of People | 40,846,833 | 41,665,296 | 2.0% |
| Number of Households | 21,402,558 | 21,907,553 | 2.4% |
| Total Benefits ($) | $9,117,810,630.00 | $9,338,989,005.00 | 2.4% |
What stores accept Louisiana EBT online for delivery?
Currently, there are 11 stores that accept Louisiana EBT Cards online as payment.
You can use your Louisiana EBT Card and food stamp benefits to purchase approved grocery items and have it delivered directly to your door.
However, your Louisiana SNAP benefits cannot be use to pay for delivery fees.
Currently, the following stores accept Louisiana SNAP EBT online:
- Albertsons
- Amazon
- Brookshire’s Food and Pharmacy
- Mac’s Super Market of Jena
- River Queen Greens
- Sam’s Club Scan and Go
- Spring Market
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Super 1 Foods Brookshires
- Walmart
- Whole Foods
What is the Louisiana food stamps customer service number?
If you are trying to reach a live person at Louisiana food stamps customer service, please call them at 1-888-LAHELP-U or 1-888-524-3578. Customer service representative are available to assist you with any questions you have about food stamps or SNAP EBT.
If you are facing a life-threatening situation and need food immediately, please dial 211 in your phone.
By calling 211, you will be connected with information about critical health and human services in your community.
They will also provide you with details about food pantries and food assistance resources available near you.
Income Limit for Louisiana Food Stamps Summary
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If you have additional questions about the Louisiana SNAP or EBT, please leave those in the comments section below. We are here to help you!
Be sure to check out our other articles about Louisiana Food Stamps and EBT, including:
- How to Check Louisiana EBT Card Balance
- Louisiana EBT Card Discounts & Free Admissions
- Louisiana LA Cafe Login Help
- DCFS LA CAFE Create Account Help
- How to apply for Louisiana Food Stamps Online
- Louisiana Food Stamps Offices
- Grocery Stores that Accept EBT online
- How to Get 50% off Amazon Prime with EBT