Office of Family Support

Programs for Children

• Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) - Provides assistance to parents to help pay for the child care they need to work or attend school or training.
• Child Support / SES - Places the primary responsibility for support of children on their non-custodial parent(s) in an attempt to reduce the children's dependence on public assistance.
  
  • View Child Support Payment Inquiry for child support payment records.
  • View Non-Custodial Parent Delinquency Listing.
  • View Employer's Resource Guide.
• Head Start Collaboration Project -Designed to increase effective linkage between Head Start Grantees and State agencies and includes the principle of serving the whole family as the key strategy for improving developmental, social and economic conditions for low-income children.
• Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education - This OFS office houses the Child Care Licensing and Regulatory Section and the Quality Start Child Care Rating System, and administers the Child Care and Development Fund.
  
  • Important Updates for Child Care Providers

Programs for Families

• Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP) - Provides cash assistance for eligible children who reside with qualified relatives other than parents.
• Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) - Provides temporary cash assistance to families in need.
• Strategies to Empower People Program (STEP) - Assists FITAP recipients with educational, training, and work related activities designed to lead to employment and self-sufficiency.
• Louisiana Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) State Plan - Sets forth the criteria for operation of the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP).
• Supplmental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps) - Provides monthly benefits that help low income households buy food needed for good health.
  
  • Determine if you might be eligible for SNAP benefits.

Programs for All

• Individual Development Account Program (IDA) - Matched savings account program for low-income families seeking to purchase their first home.
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) - The nation's largest tax credit for low- to moderate-income workers. Free income tax assistance services available throughout Louisiana.
• Disability Determinations Services Program (DDS) -Provides benefits to disabled individuals under Title II (Disability Insurance Benefits) and Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income).
• U.S. Citizen Repatriation - Assists U.S. citizens returning from abroad due to illness or poverty. This program provides temporary assistance, including money for medical care, food, clothing and transportation, and is 100% federally funded.

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How do I apply for assistance?,

• Complete the Application for Assistance to apply  for Family Independence Temporary Assistance (FITAP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Kinship Care Subsidy (KCSP).
  • Use this form for applying for Child Care Assistance (CCAP)
  • Solicitud de Asistencia (Application for Assistance in Spanish)
• Information about the Application for Assistance.
• Return the completed form to any parish/district Office of Family Support Family Assistance Office.
  
  • District Offices
  • Parish Offices
• When you apply, you will be asked to supply verification of information for CCAP, FITAP, SNAP and KCSP. This graph explains what must be verfified and examples of proof.
• An interview is required for FITAP, SNAP and KCSP. SNAP interviews are now also conducted over the phone.
• OFS will determine your eligibility for all programs for which you apply.

What happens after I apply?

• You will be assisgned a worker who will interview you if you are applying for FITAP, SNAP or KCSP and give you a list of verification items needed.
• Your worker will determine your eligibility.
• A letter will be delivered to you that will tell you if you are eligible or not. If eligible, this letter will tell you the amount of your benefits, which will be paid back to the date of your application.
• If  you applied and are eligible for CCAP, you will recieve a certificate for each child who needs care. Your child care provider must complete the certificate and you must return it by the due date.
• If you applied for FITAP, you may be required to participate in the Strategies to Empower People (STEP) program, which provides opportunities for work-eligible FITAP families to recieve job training, employment and supportive services.

Contact the Office of Family Support at 1-888-LAHELPU (1-888-524-3578) for more information on all programs and how to apply.

How are Benefits Distributed?Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) - the electronic method of delivering Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) and SNAP benefits to recipients.

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