Louisiana TANF Cash Assistance: 2026 Benefits and Moving In or Out
Moving TO Louisiana
Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) (Louisiana's TANF program) does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new Louisiana resident applies fresh through Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services. There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on Louisiana's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.
Leaving Louisiana
Leaving Louisiana ends your Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) (Louisiana's TANF program) case — no state will take it over. Close the case with Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.
Official agency: Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services ↗ (application page)
Louisiana TANF at a glance
| Program name | Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) |
|---|---|
| Max monthly benefit (family of 3) | $484 |
| Time limit | 24 months in any 60 |
| Processing | FITAP requires an interview as part of the application |
How to apply for TANF in Louisiana
Apply with Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services online at dcfs.louisiana.gov, which runs the program as Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP). Go to the official application page ↗
Processing time: FITAP requires an interview as part of the application.
Common questions
How much does TANF pay in Louisiana?
Up to $484 a month for a family of three. Louisiana limits parents to 24 months of FITAP within any 60-month period, consecutive or not; extensions are available, and the federal 60-month limit also applies.
Do TANF months from another state count in Louisiana?
Generally yes. The federal 60-month lifetime limit counts every month of federally funded TANF an adult received in any state, and Louisiana will ask about past receipt when you apply. Louisiana's own rule is a limit of 24 months in any 60-month period.
How do I apply for TANF in Louisiana?
Apply with Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services online at dcfs.louisiana.gov, which runs the program as Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP). Processing time: FITAP requires an interview as part of the application.
Who runs TANF in Louisiana?
Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services, which runs the program as Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP). The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.
Does Louisiana make new residents wait for TANF?
No state may impose a residency waiting period for TANF. You apply as soon as you live in Louisiana; eligibility is decided on Louisiana's own rules.
Where do I report that I'm leaving Louisiana?
Contact Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (official link below) to report the move and close your case effective your move month.
Every move involving Louisiana
From Louisiana to…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
To Louisiana from…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Other benefits in Louisiana
- Medicaid in Louisiana
- SNAP in Louisiana
- WIC in Louisiana
- Unemployment in Louisiana
- TANF in every state
- State benefits statistics
Terms on this page: TANF 60-month lifetime limit · Federal poverty level (FPL) · EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer)
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified .
- DCFS FITAP page — accessed 2026-08-08
- DCFS news - TANF cash benefit increase Jan 2022 ($240 to $484 for household of 3) — accessed 2026-08-08
- DCFS news - FITAP transition to Louisiana Department of Health Oct 2025 — accessed 2026-08-08
- LA DCFS FITAP policy B-1710 Time Limits — accessed 2026-10-02
- LA DCFS FITAP policy B-1720 24 Month Time-Limit — accessed 2026-10-02