The Webster Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Department, in an effort to educate residents about ways in which they can prepare for any disaster, announced today their recommendation to individuals and households to pre-apply for the state’s disaster food stamp program. This program is designed to assist low- and moderate-income households who do not receive food stamps with buying groceries due to lost income or damages following a disaster. 

Louisiana is leading the nation as the first state to initiate such an application process online. Residents can now pre-apply year-round online or by phone for Disaster Food Stamps in order to prepare for natural or manmade disasters, save time, and avoid long waits in the event of a disaster situation.

"We urge all low- to moderate-income residents to take advantage of this pre-application process," said WPOHSEP Director John Stanley.  "Providing the required income information for the program is much easier to do before an emergency rather than after an evacuation, when you may not have the information you need on hand. And one can never be certain as to what they may need in an emergency. Thousands of people who’d never needed financial help before found they needed this service following Katrina and Rita.”

Exact requirements for the program are determined following a formally declared disaster event and are based on location and income. While pre-applying does not guarantee benefits, it does make the process much simpler post-disaster. After a disaster, residents in need who have pre-applied only need to visit a designated issuance site to verify their information and identity, and to determine final eligibility and receive their benefit cards.

Louisiana residents who already receive regular Food Stamps do not need to pre-apply.  If regular Food Stamp recipients are eligible for additional benefits, they will be added to their monthly benefit amount automatically. 

According to Stanley, this pre-application process is only one of the recommended steps to add to a household emergency preparedness plan. “Everyone should have a plan,” he said. “How to get out, where to go, how to get there, when to meet, how to communicate, what to bring….these are all questions to ask. Then answer them—write it down and share it with your family and friends. If there is any part of your plan that can be prepped, such as through this pre-application service, do it.” 

Stanley also pointed out that consideration of special circumstances should be given when developing a preparedness plan. “Think about traffic issues, cellular service, fuel and bank account availability. During Katrina those things were unavailable; and those who were well-prepared had far fewer troubles during their evacuation and response actions.” 

“What we hope Webster folks will consider is that disasters can happen in any parish in a number of ways,” explains Sheriff Gary Sexton. “We’ve been very lucky in Webster Parish; but a tornado, hazardous material issue, or security incident could make it possible for a mass evacuation or need for special services. The point is to make time to take simple steps to prepare—regardless of the ‘disaster odds.’”

To pre-apply for the Louisiana Disaster Food Stamp Program, residents can visit https://dss.louisiana.gov or call 1-888-LA HELP U (1-888-524-3578) and provide the required information that includes the names, Social Security Numbers and dates of birth for each household member, the current address and parish of household, monthly income and all liquid assets for each household member (cash on hand, checking & savings account balances, certificates of deposit and money market balance.) All collected information will be kept securely on file and will be confidential.   

For more information about emergency preparedness, and for public notices of emergency services or situations affecting Webster Parish, please visit the Webster Parish Police Jury website at www.wppj.org.

Webster Parish Sheriff's Department
Sheriff Gary S. Sexton
410 Main Street
P.O. Box 877
Minden, LA  71058
318-377-1515
admin@webstersheriff.org