Louisiana, LA

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 $371.

How much is Louisiana’s Earned Income Credit?

• NO. OF CHILD Maximum EIC
• 0 $30
• 1 $199
• 2 $330
• 3 or more $371

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 — about $484 a month 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.

As a condition of eligibility, all work-eligible FITAP recipients must participate in work activities through the STEP program, aimed at helping welfare recipients become self-sufficient.

How do I apply for FITAP in Louisiana?

Applications for FITAP benefits can be done online via LA CAFÉ. If you do not already have a CAFÉ account, please create one.

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

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.

• Family Size Income Limit
• 1 $1,823
• 2 $2,465
• 3 $3,108
• 4 $3,750
• 5 $4,393
• 6 $5,035
• 7 $5,678
• 8 $6,320

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 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 1-888-524-3578 for assistance.

Louisiana Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) #

Louisiana SNAP is a food assistance program for low-income Louisiana residents who qualify. Eligible family of three in Louisiana may receive up to $740 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.

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).

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.

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

Starting Thursday, August 10th 2023, Louisiana WIC clinics will be back in person. Infants and children are required to be in clinic for WIC certification, high risk and lactation appointments.

Louisiana WIC is a short-term intervention 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?

WIC is open to women, infants, and children up to their fifth birthday in Louisiana whose gross income at or below 185% of the poverty level.

• Family Size Income Limit
• 1 $2,248
• 2 $3,040
• 3 $3,833
• 4 $4,625
• 5 $5,418
• 6 $6,210
• 7 $7,003
• 8 $7,795

How to apply for WIC in Louisiana?

Call a WIC clinic directly to schedule you an appointment for an in-person application. Check out this map to find a clinic nearest you.

Louisiana Medicaid #

Lousiana Medicaid provides a complete package of medical coverage for low-income individuals and families in Lousiana, including 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. Pregnant women in three-person households qualify with a monthly income less than $4,433.

A 5% disregard based on the federal poverty level (FPL) for the household size is applied and is reflected in the amounts shown above.

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 214% of the federal poverty level. Through this program, pregnant women, either married or single, have access to no-cost health care coverage.

• Family Size Income Limit
• 1 $31,200
• 2 $42,200
• 3 $53,200
• 4 $64,200
• 5 $75,200
• 6 $86,200
• 7 $97,200
• 8 $108,200

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.

• Family Size Income Limit
• 1 $37,180
• 2 $50,290
• 3 $63,390
• 4 $76,500
• 5 $89,610
• 6 $102,710
• 7 $115,820
• 8 $128,930

A 5% disregard based on the federal poverty level (FPL) for the household size is applied and is reflected in the amounts shown above.

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) #

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.

The program helps pay a portion of childcare for a child under age 13 or up to age 18 for children with special needs.

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.

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

A family is considered “income eligible” when their gross monthly income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. For a family of three, that's about $4,143.

• Family Size Income Limit
• 2 $3,287
• 3 $4,143
• 4 $5,000
• 5 $5,857
• 6 $6,713
• 7 $7,570
• 8 $8,427

How do I apply for CCAP in Louisiana?

Application 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.

For additional information or questions, call
CCAP Household Eligibility
1-877-453-2721

Louisiana Quality Start #

Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services has developed the Quality Start app to allow Louisiana parents to locate quality licensed child care centers in their 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 #

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 26 weeks.

Benefit amount could be anywhere in the range of $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 are required to actively seek suitable employment each week that you are collecting benefits.

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) #

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. 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.

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 or call 1-888-454-2001 for more information on how to apply.

Lousiana Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) #

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 #

The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program is now closed.

Louisiana 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 #

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.

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