(AP) – The Louisiana Department of Social Services says seven of the southernmost parishes have been approved by the federal government to receive a second month of disaster food-stamp benefits.
Those parishes are Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson, St. Mary, Terrebonne and Vermilion parishes.
Disaster food stamps were made available to families in need of food after both hurricanes Gustav and Ike in early September. DSS says federal policy normally does not allow for more than one benefit period of disaster food stamps per month.
The state agency department requested an exception to the policy to extend the program another month for families affected by both hurricanes.
The second month of benefits for those in the seven parishes will automatically be loaded onto existing disaster benefit cards by the end of the month.^