How to Apply for TANF in Louisiana
Louisiana's TANF program, the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP), was transferred from the old Department of Social Services to the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), which now runs it through the CAFÉ Self-Service Portal — the same online system used for SNAP. Louisiana caps FITAP at 60 months of lifetime benefits for households with a parent or caretaker relative, and work-eligible applicants must also participate in the state's STEP (Strategies to Empower People) work program. Uploading your verification documents directly in CAFÉ when you apply is explicitly called out as the fastest way to avoid processing delays.
This site is an independent, non-government TANF directory and isn't affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any state or federal government agency. Always verify details directly with the official agency before visiting or applying.
Quick Answer
In Louisiana, you apply for TANF through Louisiana Department of Health, online or by phone. Louisiana determines FITAP eligibility within 30 days of the date you apply, per state agency policy.
What You'll Need
- Proof of identity
- Social Security numbers for household members
- Proof of income (earned and unearned)
- Proof of relationship to the child (blood, marriage, or adoption)
- Proof of Louisiana residency
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1
Confirm you meet eligibility rules
You must live in Louisiana, be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien, and be financially needy based on LDH's income standards for your household size. Children must be under 18 (or 18 and a full-time secondary or vocational student).
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2
Gather your documents
Collect proof of identity, income, relationship to the child, and Social Security numbers for each household member before you start — you can upload scanned PDFs or GIF/JPG/PNG photos directly in CAFÉ.
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3
Apply through the CAFÉ Self-Service Portal
A qualified relative applying on behalf of the child applies online through the Louisiana CAFÉ Self-Service Portal, or in person at a local LDH community partner site.
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4
Complete an eligibility interview
LDH must conduct an interview and verify documentation before determining if the child is eligible for FITAP.
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5
Meet ongoing program requirements
Work-eligible adults must participate in the STEP work program, adults 18 and over must cooperate with drug screening, and anyone pregnant or with a child under age 1 must attend parenting skills training.
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6
Get help if you have questions
Call the LAHelp-U Customer Service Center at 888-LAHelp-U (888-524-3578), 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or email LAHelpU@la.gov.
Submit Your Application
Need help before your application is processed?
Louisiana determines FITAP eligibility within 30 days of the date you apply, per state agency policy. If your family needs money sooner, most states offer a faster, one-time emergency payment.
See emergency & one-time assistance →Compare Other States
TANF rules, income limits, and benefit amounts are set state by state. These share Louisiana's census region — useful if you're moving, or comparing how another state runs the same program.
Helpful Guides
TANF Eligibility & Frequently Asked Questions
Income limits, time limits, and work requirements, answered in plain language.
Learn more →How Much Does TANF Pay? Benefit Amounts Explained
How your payment is calculated, a real worked example, and how the amount scales by family size.
Learn more →TANF Income Limits by State
See each state's own income limit and maximum monthly benefit, side by side.
Learn more →How to Use Your TANF EBT Card
How to withdraw cash, avoid ATM fees, and what to do if your card is lost or stolen.
Learn more →TANF Work Requirements Explained
Hours, activities, exemptions, and how strictly states actually enforce this.
Learn more →What Is TANF?
What the program covers, who runs it, and how it varies by state.
Learn more →TANF Kinship Care & Relative Caregiver Benefits
Child-only TANF grants for grandparents and relatives raising a child — and how they differ from a regular case.
Learn more →TANF vs. SNAP: Is TANF the Same as Food Stamps?
How the two programs differ, and whether you can get both.
Learn more →