EVANGELINE PARISH — The Louisiana Department of Health has announced that no new SNAP benefits will be issued starting Nov. 1 unless the federal government reopens, leaving thousands of families across the state uncertain about how they’ll put food on the table.

According to LDH, benefits already loaded onto Electronic Benefits Transfer cards can still be used, but no new funds will be added until the shutdown ends. More than 16 percent of Louisiana’s population — hundreds of thousands of residents — rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Governor Jeff Landry said the state cannot provide SNAP benefits without federal funding.

“SNAP benefits are paid for by the federal government in Washington,” Landry said. “Wit

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