LOUISIANA

Louisiana Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP)

Louisiana FITAP (Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program) provides a monthly cash benefit to needy families with children to help cover basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing.

FITAP is Louisiana’s cash assistance program with fixed monthly benefits based on household size. For example, a household of three may receive up to $484 per month.

In Louisiana, FITAP benefits are generally limited to 24 months within any 60-month period, with a lifetime maximum of 60 months.

How do I apply for FITAP in Louisiana?

Applications for FITAP benefits are accepted online through LA CAFÉ  or in person at local Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) community partners.

LA CAFÉ is the same self-service application portal for SNAP, the Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP), or Child Support Enforcement services.

Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services
DCFS Customer Service
(888) 524-3578

Louisiana Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP)

Louisiana’s Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP) provides cash assistance for eligible children who live with qualified relatives other than parents — including grandparents, aunts and uncles, siblings, and even family friends who are caring for the children.

KCSP provides cash assistance of up to $450 per month for each eligible child in a family with income not exceeding 150% of the federal poverty level.

A child may be eligible for both the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) and Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP) but may only receive assistance in one program.

How do I apply for Kinship Care in Louisiana?

To apply for Kinship Care (KCSP) in Louisiana, you can submit an application online through LA CAFÉ  or apply in person at any Economic Stability Parish Office  near you.

Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services
DCFS Customer Service
(888) 524-3578

Louisiana Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Louisiana SNAP is a food assistance program for eligible low-income residents. The program serves older adults, people with disabilities, and families with children.

SNAP benefit amounts vary based on several factors, including household size, income, and allowable deductions such as housing costs, child care expenses, and certain medical expenses for eligible households.

For example, a family of three with no income may receive up to $785 in monthly benefits or $485 each month if the family has a net monthly income of $1,000.

What is the maximum income to qualify for SNAP in Louisiana?

Most families with gross income up to 200% of the federal poverty level qualify for food assistance. For a family of three, it’s about $4,442 per month.

A simplified version of SNAP known as Louisiana Combined Application Project (LaCAP), is a separate food assistance program for Louisiana elderly residents who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

How do I apply for food stamps in Louisiana?

To apply for SNAP, you must first create an online account through LA CAFÉ  and complete an application. A DCFS staff member may contact you by phone to complete an interview, if required.

If you are approved for SNAP, you will receive a Louisiana Purchase Card, and your benefits will be automatically deposited into your account each month.

Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services
DCFS Customer Service
(888) 524-3578

Louisiana Special Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

Louisiana WIC is a supplemental nutrition program designed to improve the health of nutritionally at-risk women, infants and children up to age 5. It does this by providing nutrition and health education, healthy food, breastfeeding support and other services to families who qualify.

Authorized foods include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, cereal, milk, eggs, juice, peanut butter, cheese, beans, and baby food.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for WIC:

1. Live in Louisiana.
2. Be a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, an infant or a child under 5 years old.
3. Have a household income less than 185% of the federal poverty limit.
4. Have a nutritional need or risk.

What is the income limit for WIC in Louisiana?

WIC is available to women, infants, and children up to their 5th birthday in Louisiana whose household income is at or below 185% of the poverty level.

How to apply for WIC in Louisiana?

Louisiana operates more than 100 clinics statewide. Call (800) 251-2229 to find the clinic nearest you and schedule an in-person appointment.

Louisiana Medicaid

Lousiana Medicaid provides a complete package of medical coverage for low-income individuals and families in Lousiana, including children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities.

Medicaid covers many of the same benefits as private health insurance, but with far lower costs for beneficiaries who meet the income eligibility guidelines.

Most recipients get care through one of the six managed health plans , which coordinate services and usually have minimal out-of-pocket costs.

What is the monthly income limit for Medicaid in Louisiana?

As Louisiana is expanding Medicaid, coverage is now available to eligible Louisianans age between 19—64 with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Pregnant women are covered up to 214% of poverty level or about $4,753 per month for a family of three.

How do I apply for Medicaid in Louisiana?

Louisiana Medicaid operates more than 450 application centers statewide. To locate a nearby center, call (888) 342-6207, or apply or renew coverage online through the Self-Service Portal .

Louisiana Department of Health
Medicaid Customer Service
(888) 342-6207

Louisiana LaCHIP

LaCHIP is a no cost health insurance program designed to bring quality health care to currently uninsured children and youth up to the age of 19 in Louisiana.

LaCHIP provides comprehensive benefits, including:

• Doctor and hospital visits
• Preventive and emergency care
• Immunizations (shots)
• Prescription medications
• Dental, vision, and hearing care
• Mental health services
• Lab work and tests
• Medically necessary transportation

For most qualifying families, LaCHIP has no enrollment fees, premiums, co-payments, or deductibles. A separate LaCHIP Affordable Plan (LAP) is available for families with slightly higher incomes and requires a modest monthly premium of $50 per family.

What is the income limit for LaCHIP in Louisiana?

The standard, no-cost LaCHIP program has a lower income limit of 217% of the federal poverty level. The LaCHIP Affordable Plan is for families who exceed that limit but are still under 255% of the federal poverty level.

How do I apply for LaCHIP in Louisiana?

LaCHIP applications can be obtained at any of the more than 400 Medicaid application centers throughout the state of Louisiana.

Louisiana Department of Health
Medicaid Customer Service (LaCHIP)
(877) 252-2447

Louisiana LaMOMS

LaMOMS is an expansion of Medicaid coverage for pregnant women with income up to 214% of the federal poverty level. Through this program, pregnant women, either married or single, have access to no-cost health care coverage.

LaMOMS provides full-coverage Medicaid and pays for pregnancy-related services, including prenatal care, doctor visits, lab work, prescription medications, hospital delivery, and up to 12 months of postpartum care.

Coverage may begin as soon as pregnancy is confirmed, and newborns are automatically eligible for Medicaid if the mother is enrolled in LaMOMS at the time of birth.

Louisiana Department of Health
Medicaid Customer Service
(888) 342-6207

Louisiana Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

Louisiana Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps low-income families pay for child care while the parents can work, look for work, or attend school or training.

Parents are expected to co-pay the remaining balance based on the size of the family, the amount of income, and the number of children in care.

All households with a gross monthly income less than 65% of the State Median Income (SMI), about $4,465 per month, will have a $0 copayment.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in Louisiana?

A family in Louisiana is considered “income eligible ” when their gross monthly income is at or below 85% of the State Median Income (SMI). For a family of three, that’s about $5,839 per month.

Parents enrolled in CCAP are encouraged to choose centers with high star ratings to ensure their children receive high-quality care.

How do I apply for CCAP in Louisiana?

Applications for Louisiana CCAP can be done online via LA CAFÉ . All eligible families will be placed on the statewide wait list for a period of time before funding is​ available.

Louisiana Department of Education
CCAP Household Eligibility
(877) 453-2721

Louisiana Quality Start

Louisiana has recently moved toward a unified system ¹ where publicly funded centers receive Performance Profiles (ratings like Proficient or Excellent) visible on the Louisiana School and Center Finder .

Louisiana’s Quality Start program is a voluntary, 1-to-5 star rating system for licensed child care centers, developed by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to help parents find quality care and encourage centers to improve standards.

DCFS has developed the Quality Start  app to allow Louisiana parents to locate quality licensed child care centers in their neighborhood based upon ranking.

Parents can use the ratings to find quality care and may be eligible for the School Readiness Tax Credit if they choose a center with two or more stars.

Louisiana Unemployment Insurance

Effective January 2025, for claims filed on or after January 5, the length of benefits for new unemployment claims will be shortened from 26 weeks to between 12 and 20 weeks, depending on Louisiana’s unemployment rate when claims are filed. ²

Louisiana Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary financial assistance to workers unemployed through no fault of their own. In Louisiana, receipt of benefits is limited to no more than 12 weeks.

Benefit amount may range from $35 to $275 per week, depending upon the total amount of wages paid to you during your past employment.

As a condition of eligibility, you must have earned a minimum amount of wages in a recent ‘base period’ and must have:

1. wages in at least two quarters of the base period,
2. at least $1,200 in one quarter of the base period, and
3. total base-period wages of at least 1.5 times the wages earned in your highest paid quarter.

For example, if your highest paid quarter was $4,000, your total base-period wages must be at least $6,000 ($4,000 × 1.5), and your wages must be spread across at least two quarters.

How do I file for unemployment online in Louisiana?

To file a claim for unemployment insurance, you may contact the LWC Claim Center at (866) 783-5567 or file online through HiRE , the enhanced self-service system for unemployment claim in Louisiana.

Louisiana Workforce Commission
HiRE Claim Center
(866) 783-5567

Louisiana Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)

Lousiana LIHEAP assists eligible households with the costs for heating during the winter months (November 15 to March 15), and cooling during the summer months (April 1 to September 30).

Families with incomes not more than 60% of the state median income may apply. That’s about $4,122 per month for a family of three.

Priority is given those who may be elderly, disabled, have families with children, and/or have the highest energy consumption.

How much does LIHEAP pay in Louisiana?

Eligible families can expect to receive an energy payment and/or in-kind benefit up to a maximum benefit amount of $800 or $1,000 for families in crisis, such as those facing a shutoff of their utility service.

How do I apply for LIHEAP in Louisiana?

If you need help paying your utility bills in Louisiana, contact one of these agencies  that serves your area where you can get help with applications and crisis assistance.

Louisiana Housing Corporation
Energy Assistance Hotline
(888) 454-2001

Lousiana Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

NOTICE: Funding is no longer available for LIHWAP. Households may not receive LIHWAP benefits at this time.

Lousiana LIHWAP provides emergency assistance to low-income households who are disconnected or are in imminent threat of disconnection. Priority is given to households with the elderly, disabled or a young child under age 6.

Under Lousiana’s LIHWAP, eligible households may receive up to $1,500  within a 12-month period in benefit assistance towards their water/wastewater bill.

How do I get help with my water bill in Lousiana?

If you are struggling to pay your water or wastewater bills, you can submit your application through nearest local LIHEAP provider  along with a copy of your most recent utility bill.

Lousiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provides financial assistance to cover rent costs for Louisiana renters who are struggling with rent and utilities due to COVID-19 and who may be at risk of eviction, as well as landlords struggling to collect rent.

Funded by the U.S. Treasury, this new program provides assistance for past-due rent and forward rent payments for applicants, as well as utility costs.

How do I get rental assistance in Louisiana?

The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program is now closed. If you need housing help, call 211 for referrals to local resources.

Louisiana GO Grant

Louisiana GO Grant is a need-based grant program by the State of Louisiana to assist Pell-eligible students who need additional aid to afford the cost of attending college.

Awards may vary with each academic year. The minimum award amount that eligible student may receive is $300 with the maximum award not exceeding $3,000 per academic year.

There is no separate application for GO Grant. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for each year in which they intend to enroll in college.

Louisiana Department of Education
Office of Student Financial Assistance
(800) 259-5626

Louisiana School Readiness Tax Credit

According to the Department of Revenue, this tax credit to parents is available to families with a child under the age of six who is enrolled a licensed, Type III child care center that has earned at least a 2-star rating in Louisiana’s Quality Start rating system. ³

For parents with a gross income of $25,000 or less, the credit is refundable, meaning they can receive a refund even if they do not owe any taxes. The credit becomes non-refundable for parents with a gross income above that threshold, but may be carried forward for up to five years.

The allowable percentage of the regular child care expense credit varies from 50% to 200% and is based on the quality rating of the child care facility.

To claim the credit, you must obtain Form R-10614, the Louisiana School Readiness Tax Credit, Child Care Expense Credit Certificate, from your child care facility

Louisiana Earned Income Tax Credit

Louisiana is among more than two dozen states that have enacted their own version of EITC by matching a specified percentage of the federal credit.

Because it’s a refundable credit, those who qualify and claim the credit could pay less federal tax, no tax or even get a tax refund.

Louisiana’s EITC is the second-lowest among the states that have established their own credit. At 5% of the federal credit, the maximum payout of the state EITC is just $402.

How much is Louisiana’s Earned Income Credit?

Can I get a refund if I owe no tax in Louisiana?

If your Louisiana EITC is $402 and you owe $0 in state income tax, and you receive the full $402 as a refund as illustrated in the table below:

Eligible Louisiana residents may claim the state EITC on line 21 of the Louisiana Resident Individual Income Tax Return in the section titled “Refundable Tax Credits.”