I need food stamps.  Where do I get them?

In Louisiana, the food stamp program is run by the state's Department of Social Services, Office of Family Support.  The Office of Family Support has offices in each parish.  You can find the office nearest you by looking in the telephone book's government listings (blue pages) under State of Louisiana, or looking on the Department of Social Service's website at www.dss.state.la.us.

• Apply.  If you are applying for or already getting SSI, you have the right to apply for food stamps at any Social Security office.  If you are refused an application there, you should speak with a lawyer.  Anyone can apply at any Office of Family Support office.  Even if it is the wrong office, it should send your application to the right office.  If you are refused the right to apply, speak with a lawyer.  Some offices may tell you they only take the first 15, 20, or so people.  If you are told this, speak with a lawyer.
• Fill in the application form with your name, address and the date, sign it, and leave it.  That is all you have to do in the beginning.  You do not have to finish the entire application at the time you apply.  The quicker you turn the application form in, the more food stamps you might get. Leave the application at the office if they tell you they do not have time for you that day.  If they do not let you do this, speak with a lawyer.

• Interview.  The Office of Family Support ("OFS") will set up an interview for you with a worker.  Usually, you have to come to the OFS office for the interview.  But you do not have to if all people living in your house are 65 or older, or disabled, and you cannot get someone to go to OFS for you.  OFS must then interview you by telephone or meet with you somewhere easier for you to get to.  Before you leave your interview, write down your worker's name and telephone number so you know who to call if you have a question or problem.
• Proof.  You must give verification (proof) of some of your application answers.  For example, you must prove the identity, income, immigration status, and some other things, of everyone in your house who is getting food stamps.  The worker must give you a list in writing of what proof you need to get.  By law, you have 10 days to get this proof to your worker. 
• If you need help.  If you cannot get the proof, ask your worker for help.  By law, the worker must try to help you if you ask.  When you give any proof to OFS, keep a copy if you can or have a witness to when and how you return it.  The agency often loses papers.  If you think you are being asked for something illegal, or the agency will not help you when you need it, talk with a lawyer. 

Your food stamp application by law must be decided in 30 days, unless you do not have needed proof.  But you can get food stamps quicker than that, in 7 days instead of 30, if:

• Money available to you is less than your housing costs (rent, mortgage, and utilities), or
• Your monthly income is less than $150 and other money you have is $100 or less, or
• You are a migrant worker with no job income, you have $100 or less in other money, and you do not expect more than $25 from any other income in the next 10 days.

Getting food stamps so quick is called "expedited" food stamps.  The state is supposed to ask you questions the first time you come to the food stamp office, to see if you should get "expedited" food stamps.  But if you are not asked any questions, be sure to tell the food stamp office workers if you think you should get "expedited" food stamps.

You may have a right to get food stamps in 7 days.  You may have a right to get them in 30 days.  If the food stamp office does not get you food stamps on time, you should talk with a lawyer immediately.  Free legal services programs can help you with this urgent problem.  You can also try talking with a supervisor at the food stamp office.  But if that does not help, try to talk with a lawyer.