Overview
The Louisiana Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) is administered by the Department of Children and Family Services and it provides monetary assistance to the family from underprivileged backgrounds with less to no financial resources. The cash helps these families and children to live a stable life and fulfill their household’s needs. The main aim of the Louisiana Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program is to help people buy employment and workforce development opportunities to decrease their dependency on state welfare programs. Households that went through a financial emergency can regain their independence through this program.
Eligibility Criteria and Program Benefits
To be eligible for the program, the recipient must be a resident of the Louisiana State and have children who are 18 years of age or younger. Additionally, benefits vary by state, with each state having its own set of eligibility criteria and program offerings. For instance, in Louisiana, the client should also fulfill their working criteria to be eligible for the program’s services. It is important to note that the household needs to collaborate with the Child Support Enforcement Services and provide child support documents to the state. The program also takes up the medical support of the child. If you’re seeking more information about benefits specific to each state, you might find it useful to visit Benefit By State, your site dedicated to providing state-specific benefit information.
Duration and Goals of the LIPAT Program
The duration of the LIPAT Program in the state of Louisiana is a maximum of 60 months. The recipient will receive the benefits of the program for no more than 60 months after which they will stop receiving it. The goal is to temporarily provide needy individuals with assistance so that they can look for employment opportunities without worrying about household expenses.
Eligibility Requirements and Documentation
To be eligible for the program, the recipient must be a resident of the Louisiana State and have children who are 18 years of age or younger. The client should also fulfill their working criteria to be eligible for the program’s services. It is important to note, that the household needs to collaborate with the Child Support Enforcement Services and provide child support documents to the state. The program also takes up the medical support of the child.
Income Criteria and Immunization Requirements
The total monthly household income should meet the program’s income criteria. The earned income should be equal to $120 per person or for every six months a total deduction of $900 per person.
Another important document that the applicant should provide is immunization documents showing the family has vaccinated themselves against certain diseases. Every applicant under the age of 18 should provide their immunization record according to the schedule of the Office of Public Health. Applicants who are parents of a toddler or pregnant should also attend training sessions arranged by the program to improve their parenting skills. The Louisiana Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) requires the applicants to provide certain personal information and copies of documents to prove their eligibility. The copies of the following documents must be presented along with the application form at the time of submission including the applicant’s Identification Number (PIN) of the applicants, employment and work status/history, Social Security Number (SSN), and Louisiana ID of the applicant other than that the applicant is also required to provide his or her copy of driver’s license, documents providing your residential status, and attested affidavit.
EBT Card Usage and Restrictions
The Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card provided to the recipients of the Louisiana Family Independence Temporary Assistance program can only be used at shops specified by the program. The EBT card can only be used to fulfill the fundamental needs of a household including food, housing, and clothes. You cannot use it to buy expensive products like a jeweler.
Certain products cannot be bought using the Electronic Benefit Transfer card including cigarettes and other tobacco items, any beverage that contains alcohol, tickets like a lottery ticket, etc. The EBT card cannot be used at a store that sells only liquor with no grocery products, at a pub or casino, or any place that allows gambling. A casino that has a grocery store inside can be used to redeem the cash benefits for the program. The EBT card can also be set in an adult bookstore, tattoo shop, video gaming arena or amusement park, movie theatres, salons any bars, and nightclubs.
Consequences of Misuse and Technological Upgrades
If the program recipient is found buying prohibited items from an ineligible store or establishment using the EBT card, their program services can be revoked. If a recipient does it the first time their case might be closed for 12 months which is doubled (24 months for a second offense. If a recipient continues buying ineligible items after their first and second offense, their case will be permanently closed.
Due to the recent pandemic, the Department of Children and Family Services has introduced new technology in their Self-Service Portal known as CAFE. This upgraded portal provides improved communication and ease of the application process to the recipients of the LaCAP, SNAP, FITAP, KCSP, and other programs. The program also provides information and resources regarding different programs as well as improves the delivery of benefits.
For Further Information
To learn more about the program you can call the following numbers,
1-888-524-3578
To find the complete application form online kindly visit the Application for Assistance.
You can then email your complete application form to DCFS Economic Stability, P.O. Box 260031Baton Rouge, LA 70826, or fax it at (225) 663-3164
