Online Helpdesk | Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (2024)

Louisiana.gov DCFS About Us

Sending Documents	Where do I send my documentation? For Economic Stability programs (SNAP, KCSP, FITAP), fax documents to 225-663-3164, or mail them to: DPC P.O. Box 260031 Baton Rouge, LA 70826. For Child Support Enforcement, fax documents to 225-663-3165, or mail them to: DPC P.O. Box 260032 Baton Rouge, LA 70826.
CAFÉ Account	How do I create a CAFÉ account? Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to create a CAFÉ account. How can I reset my password? Please go to www.dcfs.la.gov/cafe and click on “Forgot Password?” or “Forgot User ID?” NOTE: Your password is case sensitive, must include one capital and one special character (usually a number) and must contain at least 8 characters. What is my PIN number? It’s the 6-digit number you had to create when you created your CAFÉ account. It is located under the “Manage My Account” tab in your CAFÉ account. What do I do if I'm locked out of my CAFÉ account? If you are locked out, this means you had too many attempted logins that were incorrect. Please wait, and the system will unlock you. If you are not able to log in after 24 hours, please email LAHelpU.DCFS@la.gov for assistance. Why does it say I'm already logged in? Does someone have my login information? This likely means that you logged out incorrectly. You must select the logout button. Or you may have hit the back arrow or the "X" in the upper corner. Please wait, and the system will reset you to be able to log back in. If you still cannot log in after 24 hours, please email LAHelpU.DCFS@la.gov for assistance. Why can’t I link to my case? If your case is closed, you will not be able to link to it to view until it is opened. If you know your case is open and it still won’t link, it could be due to the information you’re putting in. One common reason is that you must be sure to put in the FIRST five letters of your LAST name.
Child Support	How can I contact my Child Support caseworker? Follow these steps to send a message to your caseworker: Sign into CAFÉ. Click on the "Check My Cases" link on your "My Account" page. Click on "Child Support Enforcement Details" located under "Case Summary." Click on the "Child Support Enforcement Message Center" link. Click on "Submit a Question," and send your question or information. Where can I get information on my Child Support case for the Housing Authority? Log into your CAFÉ account and print out information on your case from there. You will need to click on "Case Information" and print this screen. If you have a case, you also will need to click on "View More Details" where you can print the last 12 months of payments, if needed. If you have never had a Child Support case, please have your Housing Authority fax a release form to 888-836-2623 or send the release form by mail to: DCFS Correspondence P.O. Box 459 Ocala, FL 34478-0459 Housing Authority will validate only if you have NO RECORD of a DCFS case.
SNAP/EBT	How can I apply for benefits online? You must first create an online CAFÉ account. After you successfully create your account: Go to the My Applications Page of the CAFÉ Customer Portal. Complete an electronic application for benefits. A DCFS staff member will contact you for an interview, if applicable. You can monitor the status of your application through the Application Status Page of the CAFÉ Customer Portal. How do I get a budget sheet printout? Log into your CAFÉ account and select "Check My Cases." If you have not linked your SNAP or FITAP case, please select "Add a SNAP case to your account" or "Add a FITAP case to your account." If you have linked your case, select "SNAP Details." Print this first page that has "Case Details," which includes the following information about your case: Case Category (SNAP, FITAP) Case Status Benefit Amount Application Date Certification Start Date Certification End Date Last Benefit was issued on Date Under "Household Information," find the head of household and select "View Details," which is located under the "Budget Information" column. This will bring up a separate internet page. Print your "Budget Information" page, which will give you all of your household budget data. Close this window when you are finished. What do I do if my EBT card is lost or stolen? If you have lost or need to reset your SNAP EBT card, please call 1-888-997-1117. For more information, visit our SNAP FAQS webpage here.
Emailing Us	I need to email LAHelpU.DCFS@la.gov for assistance. What information do I include in my email? Please be sure to include the following information in your email: Your name Your case number, if known; Detailed information on what you are requesting assistance with. PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR FULL SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.
Child Care	I'm trying to apply for Child Care Assistance and cannot find the option on the application. What do I do? Child Care Assistance is now handled by the Louisiana Department of Education. Please visit their website at www.louisianabelieves.com/resources/ask-ldoe. If you have questions about your application for child care assistance, you may email LDECCAP@la.gov. If you need to fax in documents for your child care case: 225-376-6060.
Text Messages	I received a text message claiming to be from DCFS. Is the text legit? From time to time, DCFS sends text messages to SNAP recipients and/or applicants with helpful information regarding benefits or other updates, as appropriate. To confirm the legitimacy of a message, you can contact LAHELP-U at 1-888-524-3578. How can I stop receiving text messages from DCFS? You can opt-out by replying with 'StopTEXT' or 'STOP'. Why do my texts look different from my friend’s? DCFS is actively trying different messaging to gather information to determine which experiences work best for clients. Will these text messages cost me anything? It depends on your phone plan. If you have a plan that charges for text messages, it will charge you the same as it would for any text message. Most phone plans, including those provided by the government, don’t charge for individual text messages.

Additional Information and FAQs:

Abuse/neglect and how to report it
Finding a Safe Haven site
How to become a foster/adoptive parent
Resources for foster parents
How to apply for assistance (SNAP, KCSP, FITAP)
How to report benefits fraud
Child Support services available
Establishing paternity
Child Support payment methods
Disability Determination Services
Preparing for a disaster

211

Dial 211 for Food Assistance
211 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their community. It's single access point for details about food pantries and other food assistance sources near you. Learn more about the 211 Louisiana Statewide Network Call 211

Dial 211 for Food Assistance

211 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their community.

It's single access point for details about food pantries and other food assistance sources near you.

Learn more about the 211 Louisiana Statewide Network

Additional Resources For You

Learn more about additional assistance programs at DCFS and other government agencies.

FAQs

How to reschedule a snap interview in Louisiana? ›

Day of interview

DCFS: Your SNAP phone interview is today at 9:30 AM. The call may come from an unlisted or out of state number, so please be sure to answer all calls. If you need to reschedule, call 1-888-524-3578.

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How do I talk to a representative for food stamps in Louisiana? ›

To Contact the LAHelpU Customer Service Center. Call LAHelpU Customer Service Center at (888) 524-3578.

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Who is the head of DCFS in Louisiana? ›

Matlock. David N. Matlock was appointed Secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services on January 8, 2024.

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How do I contact CPS in Louisiana? ›

Call the DCFS Child Protection hotline at 1-855-4LA-KIDS (1-855-452-5437) toll-free 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. More information on the signs and symptoms of child abuse/neglect. Who are mandated reporters?

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What happens if I miss my phone interview for food stamps in Louisiana? ›

The household will receive a Notice of Missed Interview and must reschedule the interview to avoid denial. In the event that an applicant fails to provide required information or cooperate with eligibility requirements, the application will be denied after 10 days from the date of a written request.

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How long does it take to get approved for food stamps in Louisiana? ›

After I apply, how and when will I find out if I'm approved? You will be notified by mail once an eligibility decision is made on your application. DCFS has 30 days to process your application. However, if you are determined eligible for SNAP benefits, you will be eligible from the date of application.

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How do I check the status of my Child Support case in Louisiana? ›

Information about your Child Support case can be found in the Café Customer Portal. In Café, you can view payments received, get information on setting up a direct deposit account for receiving child support enforcement payments, and contact your caseworker through the Child Support Enforcement Message Center.

What can and cannot CPS do in Louisiana? ›

CPS cannot enter your home without your permission.

Although CPS can show up to your home without notice, they cannot enter without your consent. Unless CPS has a court order, or they believe your child is in immediate danger, they can't enter your home unless you say it's okay.

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What is child neglect in Louisiana? ›

(18) "Neglect" means the refusal or unreasonable failure of a parent or caretaker to supply the child with necessary food, clothing, shelter, care, treatment, or counseling for any injury, illness, or condition of the child, as a result of which the child's physical, mental, or emotional health, welfare, and safety is ...

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Who is the child ombudsman in Louisiana? ›

Kathleen Stewart Richey

Kathleen began her career as an attorney representing children in child dependency and delinquency matters. During that time, she served on the Children's Code Project Committee, which drafted the Louisiana law regarding children's issues.

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What is the number for child support in Louisiana? ›

For case information, you may also call 1-888-524-3578.

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How long does it take to get food stamps in Louisiana? ›

DCFS has 30 days to process your application. However, if you are determined eligible for SNAP benefits, you will be eligible from the date of application.

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What is the phone number for Fitap in Louisiana? ›

How can I get personal assistance with my FITAP benefits? Call the LAHelpU Customer Service Center at (888) 524-3578. The regular hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., M-F. Or, email the center at LAHelpU.DCFS@la.gov with a brief explanation of your reason for writing.

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How do I get my CPS records in Louisiana? ›

To access child custody records in Louisiana, the requester must contact the family court or the family division of the district courts of the parish. The requesting party will also be required to provide information regarding the case and pay any applicable fees to gain record access.

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Online Helpdesk | Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (2024)

Additional Resources For You

FAQs

How to reschedule a snap interview in Louisiana? ›

What is the number for child support in Louisiana? ›

References