WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Troy Carter asked Friday for flexibility from the U.S. Department of Agriculture the day after the Legislature and the state Department of Children and Family Services agreed to participate in a federal food program over the objections of Gov. Jeff Landry.
In February DCFS declined to participate in the Summer EBT, which offers an extra $40 per child monthly in grocery-buying benefits while school is out to families who have school-aged children who receive free and reduced cost meals during the school year. Landry had contended that EBT was a COVID-era program, and families could avail themselves of other programs now that the pandemic is over.
The Legislature on Thursday approved $3.6 million to cover administrative costs.
“The decision from the DCFS gives our state the outcome we urgently needed to provide $71.1 million from the federal government for food during the summer months to children who need it most,” Carter said. “Now, I am working to ensure waivers are granted so that families in our state can access the benefits of the Summer EBT Program at the earliest possible date.”
Carter’s wrote USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack on Friday asking for a little help given the late notice that Louisiana would seek federal funds for the program that starts June 4. “I am requesting that USDA please use the maximum flexibility and expediency possible to implement this critical program and have benefits accessible for families,” Carter wrote.
“I would like to give special acknowledgment to Rep. Jason Hughes, D-New Orleans, who never gave up the fight to convince his Louisiana Legislative colleagues to do the right thing,” Carter said in a statement. “I would also to acknowledge Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice; House Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland, R-Winnfield; Rep. Delisha Boyd, D-New Orleans, Rep. Aimee Freeman, the entire Louisiana Legislature, New Orleans City Council Vice President Helena Moreno and the entire News Orleans City Council, and, of course, the Landry administration for heeding our call to put children over politics.”