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| What Must be Verified and Examples of Proof? | SNAP | FITAP (Cash) |
KCSP (Cash) |
| Identity – driver’s license, work or school ID, ID for health benefits or another social services program, voter’s registration card, check stub, or birth certificate. | X | ||
| Age/Relationship – birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or hospital birth records of the person to be included. If not your own child, birth records to prove how the child is related to you. | X | X | |
| Citizenship – birth certificate, U.S. passport, or hospital birth records of all persons to be included. | X | X | X |
| Alien status – if not a U.S. citizen, forms or cards from USCIS that prove the person is a legal alien (unless you choose not to apply for this person). | X | X | X |
| Wages – last 4 pay check stubs or employer’s statement for each person who works. | X | X | X |
| Self-employment – income tax returns, sales records, quarterly tax records, personal wage record. | X | X | X |
| Other income – such as contributions, child support, alimony, Social Security, SSI, VA, retirement checks, Unemployment Compensation (UCB) - award letters, court orders, statements from contributors. | X | X | X |
| Income that stopped within the last 3 months – pink slip, termination notice, or statement from former employer, termination notice or statement from source of any income that ended. | X | X | X |
| Medical expenses – receipts, pharmacy printouts for last 3 months, doctor bills or other papers that show medical expenses for household members who are disabled or over age 59. | X | ||
| Child support payments made to someone outside your home – court order or other legal papers and proof that you are making payments such as cancelled checks or wage withholding statements. | X | ||
| Immunization – shot, school, or doctor’s records. | X | X | |
| Custody – court order, other legal papers, or provisional custody by mandate. | X | ||
| Home – proof of who lives in the home; such as current school records, landlord’s written statement or the name and phone number of two people (not related to you) who know your situation. | X | X |
Family Support
The Division of Family Support assists families with needed assistance programs through Economic Stability with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP), Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP), and Disability Determination Services (DDS).
How do I apply?
- Apply online: Louisiana CAFÉ Customer Portal.
- Apply by phone: 1-888-LAHELP-U (888-524-3578)
- Download and complete a print application.
- Fax, mail or deliver a completed application.
- Fax Number:
225-663-3164 - Mailing Address:
DPC
P.O. Box 260031
Baton Rouge, LA 70826 - Find the nearest ES office
- Fax Number:
You may also contact 1-888-LAHELP-U (1-888-524-3578) for information on all programs and assistance on how to apply.
What happens after I apply?
- Gather your verification items needed.
- No matter how you apply, you can call 1-888-LAHELP-U to complete your new application interview at your convenience
- Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Your eligibility will be determined based on your interview and the needed verification provided.
- A letter will be mailed 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 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 receive job training, employment and supportive services.
How are Benefits Distributed?
- Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) - the electronic method of delivering Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP), Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP) and SNAP benefits to recipients.
Assistance Eligibility Verification
Verification is proof of the information you report on your Application for Assistance.
The following table lists the information that must be verified by each program and the examples of the proof that is required. Let your worker know if you have any questions about what you must provide or if you need help in getting the proof. It is our responsibility to help you get the proof that you need.
Case Records Information
SNAP, FITAP, KCSP
Information about your SNAP, FITAP or KCSP case can be found in the CAFÉ Customer Portal. Here, you can apply for benefits, check the status of an application, apply for continued assistance or redetermination, submit a simplified report or change report, and view information on your case, including benefit amounts and household details.
If you need additional information that is not available through CAFÉ, email our Customer Service Center at [email protected]. Be sure to include your name, case number (if known) and detailed information on what assistance you are requesting. Please do NOT send your full Social Security number.
Disability Determination Services (DDS)
For information about the handling of your initial Disability Determination claim, contact DDS:
- Baton Rouge: 1-800-256-2288
- New Orleans: 1-800-256-2299
- Shreveport: 1-800-256-2266
For information about the handling of your hearing request, contact your DDS Hearing Unit:
- Baton Rouge: 1-800-732-8921
- New Orleans: 1-800-732-8920
- Shreveport: 1-800-732-8919