Some Louisiana families to receive extra SNAP food benefits this summer, Ruston mother speaks

RUSTON, La. ( KTVE/KARD ) — This summer, some families in Louisiana are expected to receive extra SNAP food benefits.

On Monday, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services announced that phase one of SUN Bucks benefits will be issued this week.

According to DCFS, 300,000 children between the ages of 5 and 18 will receive a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child.  The child must have received SNAP benefits during the last school year, and the money will be loaded onto their household’s SNAP EBT card by Friday, June 21.

This is meant to help families feed children when school is out of session.

Tonesha Parker, a mother and nursing student at Louisiana Delta Community College of Ruston, says that these benefits have helped her tremendously.

“It helps me with my lunches here, so I don’t have to worry about spending any cash or anything like that, so, and I don’t get my food stamps until towards the end of the month, so getting extra benefits right now has just been very helpful,” Parker said.

Phase 2 of the SUN Bucks program includes children ages 5–18 who received Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program, Kinship Care Subsidy Program, or Medicaid benefits last school year, or those who received free or reduced-priced school meals.

“It’s really helped us and really benefit us by keeping more, extra food in our house. So, we’re not running out of food before the end of the month is up and over with. So, just helping us with extra stocks and everything, feeding the little ones, making sure everybody is able to eat,” Parker continued.

SUN Bucks must be used after 122 days of being issued, or the benefits will expire.  Phase 3 applications will open after Phase 1 and 2 cards have been distributed.

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