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Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program in Louisiana (FITAP) - Overview

In Louisiana, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is provided under a program known as the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP.) FITAP is administered by the Louisiana Department of Social Services. This program provides temporary assistance for needy pregnant women and families with minor children under Title IV-A of the Social Security Act. The program provides eligible individuals with cash assistance and supportive services if those families meet eligibility requirements and are otherwise complying with Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) requirements.

Temporary cash assistance may be provided to eligible individuals for a period of time not to exceed 24 months (whether consecutive or not) within any 60-month period. Cash grants paid under Louisiana’s FITAP are small in comparison to most other states. But earned income disregards are high. For specific details on cash grants to families and on earned income disregards refer to the topic Cash Grants.

Supportive services available to Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP.) recipients include:

·        case management,

·        childcare,

·        transportation, and

·        allowances for needs related to entry into employment.

Generally, a needy woman in her last trimester of pregnancy or a needy family when a child or children live in the household can be eligible for FITAP. For a more specific definition of who qualifies as an eligible guardian and child refer to the topic FITAP - Who is Eligible.

A variety of requirements must be met to obtain either cash or service assistance under the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program. Refer to the topics listed below for more detailed explanations about requirements:

·        FITAP Time Limits

·        FITAP Health and Education Requirements

·        FIND Work Program Requirements

Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) participants are usually eligible for Medicaid as well. However, people who are working may receive FITAP benefits but have too high an earned income level for continued Medicaid eligibility. Rules for treating earned income are different for Medicaid benefits than for FITAP. Check with a caseworker if you are working and concerned about continuing Medicaid eligibility. If you are terminated from FITAP, a provision of Transitional Assistance (TA) (described later) may extend Medicaid for up to an additional 12 months.

Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) participants receive priority consideration for Louisiana’s Welfare to Work Partnership Program (WtW.) The Welfare to Work Partnership (WtW) is a cooperative effort of the Louisiana Department of Labor, Social Services, and businesses of all sizes. Additional work related assistance may be available through WtW.

Louisiana also has a Transitional Assistance (TA) program to help former FITAP recipients who are ineligible for continued benefits because of earnings. This program provides added help in the transition from welfare dependency to self-sufficiency. For more details on eligibility and assistance available through the TA program refer to the topic Transitional Assistance (TA).

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