ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. — As the federal government shutdown halts the flow of , Louisiana residents are turning to the state for emergency food assistance.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) announced it will use state funds to cover November SNAP benefits for the elderly, people with disabilities, and children. However, those payments will be distributed in four smaller installments rather than one lump sum.

For Northshore resident Christian Wagner, who relies on a wheelchair and has limited mobility, that delay means changing how he shops for groceries.

“Fresh Market is a place I can reach by my wheelchair,” Wagner said. “It’s going to cause me to do with less or make more trips than what is normal, and I’m tapping into my retirement.”

According to LDH, eligible recipients can

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