LOUISIANA

What benefits can a single mother get in Louisiana?

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A single mother with two children in Louisiana with no income may qualify for up to $484 a month in cash assistance (TANF) and up to $808 a month in food benefits (SNAP). A one-time utility payment (LIHEAP) may add up to $800. Child care assistance and Medicaid coverage may also be available.

Louisiana Benefits Overview

Last updated: November 13, 2026

Benefit amounts and eligibility requirements are subject to change. Always verify current program requirements with the administering agency.

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Estimated benefits for a single mother in Louisiana

Program	Estimated maximum amount
Cash Aid Short-term cash assistance for basic needs, rent, and utility bills.
Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP)	$484a month
Food & Nutrition Grocery and nutrition assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Summer EBT, and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.
SNAP	$808a month
Summer EBT	$240each summer
WIC	$52a month
Housing & Utilities Assistance with rent, home repairs, or heating/cooling bills.
LIHEAP	$800one time
Section 8	Check eligibility
Education & Training Tuition, books, and school expenses for single mothers returning to college or vocational training. Apply through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Pell Grant	$7,395a year
For the 2027—2028 academic year, a single mother in a household of 3 in Louisiana can earn up to $59,963 and still qualify for the maximum Pell grant of $7,395.
Louisiana GO Grant	$3,000a year
Other financial assistance programs Copay
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)	$0at this income
Medicaid	Check eligibility
If help is urgent
Need a place to stay, food today, or help stopping a shutoff? Louisiana 211 is the place to start.

This is an unofficial benefits estimator. No personal data is collected or stored. Actual amounts may vary based on individual circumstances, location, eligibility criteria, and recent data updates at the time of application. The federal programs available in every state are described in the guide to grants for single mothers.

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 $4,553 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.

What is the income limit for WIC in Louisiana?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 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.¹

How to apply for WIC in Louisiana?

Louisiana operates more than 100 clinics statewide. Call (504) 568-8229 to find the clinic nearest you and schedule an in-person appointment.

Louisiana Department of Health
Louisiana WIC
(504) 568-8229

Louisiana Medicaid

Louisiana Medicaid provides health coverage to eligible individuals and families, including children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with disabilities.

Under the Affordable Care Act expansion, eligible adults ages 19–64 may qualify with household income up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or about $3,142 per month for a family of three. Children, pregnant people, older adults, and people with disabilities may qualify under other Medicaid categories.

Most members receive coordinated services through Healthy Louisiana and its managed care organizations. Members select a plan based on their health needs and provider network.

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.

The standard, no-cost LaCHIP program has a lower income limit of 217% of the poverty level. The LaCHIP Affordable Plan is for families who exceed that limit. This plan covers children in families with incomes up to 255% and requires a $50 monthly premium per family.

How do I apply for LaCHIP in Louisiana?

LaCHIP applications are accepted 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. While many states set higher thresholds, Louisiana limits this specific program to 138% of the federal poverty level.

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 infants born to mothers receiving LaMOMS are automatically enrolled in LaCHIP for their first year.

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 $4,579 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 $5,988 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 ² 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 Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)

Louisiana 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).

Households with income at or below 60% of the state median income may qualify. For a household of three, that is about $4,227 per month.

Regular LIHEAP assistance for heating or cooling ranges from $200 to $800. Households facing an energy crisis, such as a utility shutoff, may qualify for up to $1,000 in crisis assistance.

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 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

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.

To claim the credit, file your Louisiana resident return (Form IT-540) and complete the Louisiana Earned Income Credit (LA EIC) worksheet, then enter the result on the earned income credit line.

Louisiana Department of Revenue
(855) 307-3893