Louisiana Earned Income Tax Credit #
Louisiana is among more than two dozen states that have enacted their own EITC to complement the federal credit — putting more money back into the pockets of the working poor.
Louisiana’s state EITC is currently 5% of the federal credit — one of the lowest in the country among the states that have the EITC.
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.”
Louisiana Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) #
Louisiana FITAP provides a monthly cash benefit to needy families that have children, or are expecting children. The amount is based on family size — up to $484 for a family of three.
In Louisiana, the general rule is that you cannot get more than 24 months of FITAP payments in a 60 month period and a lifetime limit of 60 months.
How do I apply for FITAP in Louisiana?
Application for FITAP, SNAP, CCAP, or KCSP benefits can be done online via LA CAFÉ. If you do not already have a CAFÉ account, please create one.
Louisiana Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP) #
The 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.
To receive KCSP for your child, you need to apply online via LA CAFÉ or at any Economic Stability Parish office or you may also call 1-888-LAHELPU (1-888-524-3578) for assistance.
Louisiana Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) #
Louisiana SNAP is a food assistance program for low-income Louisiana residents who qualify. Eligible family in Louisiana may receive an average of $484 per month in SNAP benefits.
If you are eligible for SNAP, you will receive a Louisiana Purchase Card and SNAP benefits will be automatically deposited into your account every month.
How do I apply for food stamps in Louisiana?
In order to apply for benefits, you must first create an online account for LA CAFÉ on the DCFS website and complete an electronic application. A DCFS staff member will contact you for an interview, if applicable.
You may also use LA CAFÉ to apply online for Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP), or the Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP), or Child Support Enforcement services.
A simplified version of SNAP known as LaCAP — Louisiana Combined Application Project, is a separate food assistance program for Louisiana elderly residents who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Louisiana Medicaid #
Medicaid provides a complete package of medical coverage for to Louisiana residents who qualify. Generally, eligible recipients of benefits include low income families with children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
In Louisiana, you’ll automatically qualify to receive Medicaid if you are a recipient of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP).
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.
How do I apply for Medicaid in Louisiana?
Medicaid has over 450 application center sites around the state. Call 1-888-342-6207 to find the site nearest to you or use the Self-Service Portal to apply or renew coverage for any Medicaid program.
Louisiana LaMOMS #
LaMOMS is an expansion of Medicaid coverage for pregnant women with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Through this program, pregnant women, either married or single, have access to no-cost health care coverage.
LaMOMS will pay for pregnancy-related services, delivery and care up to 60 days after your pregnancy ends including doctor visits, lab work/tests, prescription medicines and hospital care.
To find out if you qualify for LaMoms, call
Louisiana Medicaid Customer Service
1-888-342-6207
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. It pays for children’s hospital care, doctor visits, prescription drugs, immunizations, and more.
In order to qualify for no-cost LaCHIP program, family income (before taxes) must not exceed 255% of the federal poverty level. There are no enrollment fees, no premiums, no co-payments and no deductibles.
If your income is too high to qualify for LaCHIP, your child will be considered for LaCHIP Affordable Plan. Families of children enrolled in the LaCHIP Affordable Plan, however, will pay a $50 monthly premium.
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.
For additional information, call
LaCHIP Hotline
1-877-252-2447
Louisiana Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) #
The Louisiana CCAP helps low-income families pay for child care while working or attending school or training. The program helps pay for child care for children under age 13 or up to age 18 for children with special needs.
CCAP pays for part of the child care costs, and you co-pay for a portion based on the size of the family, the amount of your income, and the number of children in care.
A single mother of two in Louisiana who earns no more than 198% of poverty level, about $45,600 a year, may be eligible for child care assistance. Proof of residency and income are required.
How do I apply for CCAP in Louisiana?
For additional information or questions, call
CCAP Household Eligibility
1-877-453-2721
Louisiana Quality Start #
You may also access the Quality Start app, administered by the state of Louisiana, to locate quality licensed child care centers in your neighborhood based upon ranking.
When you send your child to a Quality Start rated child care center, you’re not only giving your child the best possible care, you’re also entitled to a special tax credit — the School Readiness Tax Credit.
The tax credit to parents is available to families with a child under the age of six who is enrolled in child care. It is based upon the quality rating of the child care center that the child attends.
Louisiana Unemployment Insurance #
Unemployment insurance (UI) provides temporary financial assistance to workers unemployed through no fault of their own — for up to 26 weeks. As a condition of eligibility, you are required to actively seek suitable employment each week that you are collecting benefits.
Your weekly benefit amount could be anywhere in the range of $10 to $275, depending upon the total amount of wages paid to you during your past employment.
How do I file for unemployment online in Louisiana?
To file a claim for unemployment insurance, you may contact the UI Call Center at 1-866-783-5567 or you may file online through HiRE — Louisiana Workforce Commission's enhanced self-service system.
Louisiana Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) #
LIHEAP provides provides eligible households with assistance in meeting their monthly utility bills. Priority is given those who may be elderly, disabled, have families with children, and/or have the highest energy consumption.
The Louisiana version of LIHEAP can provide an energy payment and/or in-kind benefit up to a maximum benefit amount of $600. Families with incomes not more than 60% of the state median income may apply.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Louisiana?
For more information on how to apply for LIHEAP in Louisiana, call
1-888-454-2001
Lousiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program #
The LERAP 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?
If you reside in a rental unit within a parish covered by the program, 1 you may apply online at https://www.lastaterent.com/ or call (877) 459-6555 to apply by phone.
Louisiana GO Grant #
The 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.
As funding is limited, students who completed the financial aid process earliest are given priority consideration. Proof of residency is a must. However, eligibility is subject to annual review.
- The State of Louisiana is administering the program in 57 parishes. If you live in Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans or St. Tammany Parish, you must apply directly to the program in your parish.