Table of Contents
Part I. General Administration
Chapter 1. Substance Abuse Testing 1
§101. Introduction and Purpose 1
§103. Applicability 1
§105. Definitions 1
§107. DSS Drug-Free Workplace Policy 2
§109. Conditions Requiring Drug Tests 2
§111. Procedure 3
§113. Confidentiality 3
§115. Responsibilities 3
§117. Violation of the Policy 3
§119. Attachment A―Safety-Sensitive and Security-Sensitive Positions within DSS 4
§121. Attachment B―Procedures for Scheduling Drug Testing 5
Chapter 2. Criminal Background and State Central Registry Checks 5
§201. Introduction and Purpose 5
§203. Conditions of Employment 5
Chapter 3. Risk Assessment Evaluation 6
§301. Introduction 6
§303. Risk Evaluation Panel and/or Risk Evaluation Coordinator 7
§305. Risk Assessment Evaluation Process 7
§307. Risk Determination Criteria 8
§309. Appeals Process 8
§311. Correction or Expungement of Central Registry Entries 9
Part III. Family Support
Subpart 1. General Administrative Procedures
Chapter 1. Confidentiality 11
§101. Release of Confidential Information 11
§103. Confidential Information 11
Chapter 2. Voter Registration Services 12
§201. Voter Registration by Mail 12
Chapter 3. Hearings 12
§301. Definitions 12
§303. General Rules and Principles 13
§305. Right to Request a Fair Hearing 13
§307. Time Limits for Requesting a Fair Hearing 14
§309. Time Limits for Decisions to be Rendered 14
§311. Expedited SNAP Hearings 14
§313. Continuation of Benefits 14
§315. Client Rights 15
§317. Responsibility of DCFS Appeals Unit When a Fair Hearing is Requested 15
§319. Scheduling 15
§321. Providing a Summary of Evidence to the Client 15
§323. Withdrawals 15
§325. Dismissal of a Request for a Fair Hearing 16
§327. Group Hearings 16
§329. Attendance 16
§331. Hearing Official 16
§333. Hearing Authority 17
Chapter 4. Electronics Benefits Issuance System 17
§401. Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) 17
§403. Cash Benefits [Formerly §402] 17
§405. Participation of Retailers (Effective October 1, 1997) [Formerly §403] 17
§407. Service Fees Effective October 1, 1997 [Formerly §405] 18
§409. Participation of Approved Prepared-Meal Facilities [Formerly §407] 18
Chapter 5. Computer Matching 19
§501. Due Process 19
Chapter 7. Statewide Income and Eligibility Verification System (SIEVS) 19
§701. SIEVS Program 19
Chapter 8. General Administrative Procedures 19
§801. Implementation of Regulations 19
§803. Benefit Delivery 19
Subpart 2. Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program
Chapter 9. Administration 21
§901. Authority 21
§902. State Plan 21
Chapter 12. Application, Eligibility, and Furnishing Assistance 21
Subchapter A. Application, Determination of Eligibility, and Furnishing Assistance 21
§1201. Application Date 21
§1203. Standard Filing Unit 21
§1205. Application Time Limit 21
§1207. Certification Period and Reapplication 21
§1209. Notices of Adverse Actions 22
§1211. Minimum Payments 22
§1213. Domestic Violence 22
Subchapter B. Conditions of Eligibility 23
§1221. Age Limit 23
§1223. Citizenship 23
§1225. Enumeration 24
§1227. Living in the Home of a Qualified Relative 24
§1229. Income 24
§1231. Immunization 26
§1233. Residency 26
§1237. School Attendance 27
§1239. Assignment of Support Rights and Cooperation with Support Enforcement Services 27
§1241. Sanctions for Refusal to Accept a Job 27
§1243. Work Requirements 28
§1245. Parenting Skills Education 28
§1247. Time Limits 28
§1249. Drug Screening, Testing, Education and Rehabilitation Program 28
§1251. Fleeing Felons and Probation/Parole Violators 29
§1253. Strikers 29
§1255. Individuals Convicted of a Felony Involving a Controlled Substance 29
§1257. Reporting Requirements 29
§1259. Use of FITAP Benefits 30
Subchapter C. Recovery 31
§1285. IV-D Recovery of Support Payments 31
Chapter 15. General Program Administration 31
§1501. Fraud Control Program 31
§1503. Recovery of Overpayments 32
§1506. Special Considerations in Determining Recovery Amounts 32
§1507. Disclosing Information Concerning Fugitive Felons 32
Subpart 3. Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)
Chapter 17. Administration 33
§1701. Authority 33
§1703. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Manual 33
§1705. Outreach 33
§1709. Purchasing Prepared Meals 33
§1711. Disabled People in Group Living Arrangements 33
Subchapter C. Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) 33
§1713. Emergency Food Assistance Program for Disaster Victims 33
Chapter 19. Certification of Eligible Households 34
Subchapter A. Household Concept 34
§1901. Household Composition 34
§1903. Boarder 34
§1905. Definition of Elderly and Disabled 34
Subchapter B. Application Processing 35
§1907. Expedited Service―Initial and Subsequent Month Benefits 35
§1911. Households Eligible for Expedited Service 35
§1913. Determination of Eligibility of Migrant or Seasonal Farmworkers 35
§1915. Homeless SNAP Household 35
§1917. Homeless Meal Provider 36
§1919. Certification of Information 36
§1921. SSI and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Application by Residents of Public Institutions 36
§1923. Verification 37
§1927. Disclosure of Information 37
§1928. Verification of Eligibility 37
Subchapter C. Reserved (for Residency) 37
Subchapter D. Citizenship and Alien Status 37
§1931. Qualified Aliens 37
§1933. Non-Qualified Aliens 38
§1934. Alien Eligibility Criteria 38
Subchapter E. Students 39
§1935. Student Provisions (Effective March 1, 2006) 39
Subchapter F. Reserved (for Social Security Numbers) 39
Subchapter G. Work Requirements 39
§1938. Work Registration Requirements 39
§1939. Work Exemption Guidelines 40
§1940. Work Participation Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents
[Effective 10/1/97 by Emergency Rule] 40
§1941. Work Requirements of the SNAP Household 41
Subchapter H. Resource Eligibility Standards 42
§1945. Resource Test 42
§1947. Resources 42
§1949. Exclusions from Resources 42
Subchapter I. Income and Deductions 42
§1951. Strikers 42
§1953. Income Eligibility Standards 43
§1957. Income Eligibility and Benefit Level 43
§1959. Thrifty Food Plan 43
§1961. Adjustment of Standard Deduction 43
§1965. Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) 44
§1966. Basic Utility Allowance (BUA) 44
§1967. Setting the Standard Utility Allowance and the Basic Utility Allowance 44
§1969. Standard Telephone Allowance 44
§1971. Farm Self-Employment Income 44
§1973. Diverted Income 44
§1975. Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) 45
§1977. Cash Charitable Contributions 45
§1978. Income Decreased for Failure to Comply with Another Program 45
§1979. Income 46
§1980. Income Exclusions 46
§1981. Child Support Deduction 48
§1983. Income Deductions and Resource Limits 48
Subchapter J. Determining Household Eligibility and Benefit Levels 48
§1985. Determining Eligibility 48
§1987. Categorical Eligibility for Certain Recipients 49
§1988. Eligibility Disqualification of Certain Recipients 50
§1991. Initial Month's Benefits 50
§1993. Replacement of Benefits 50
Subchapter K. Action on Households with Special Circumstances 51
§1995. Sponsored Aliens 51
§1997. Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers 51
Subchapter L. Reporting Changes 51
§1998. Reporting Requirements 51
Subchapter M. Notice of Adverse Action 51
§1999. Reduction or Termination of Benefits 51
Subchapter N. Recertification 52
§2003. Recertification of Supplemental Security Income Households 52
Subchapter O. Reserved (for Fair Hearings) 52
Subchapter P. Recovery of Over-Issued SNAP Benefits 52
§2005. Claims Against Households 52
§2007. Penalties 52
§2009. Collection Methods 53
Subchapter Q. Reserved (for Restoration of Lost Benefits) 53
Subchapter R. Simplified Reporting 53
§2013. Simplified Reporting 53
Chapter 21. Louisiana Combined Application Project (LaCAP) 54
§2101. General Authority 54
Subchapter A. Household Concept 54
§2103. Household Definition 54
§2105. Application Process 54
§2107. Benefits 54
§2109. Certification Period 54
§2111. Change Reporting 54
§2113. Household Options 54
§2115. Notices of Adverse Action 54
§2117. Recovery of Overissued Benefits 55
Subpart 4. Child Support Enforcement
Chapter 23. Single State Agency Organization 57
Subchapter A. Designation, Authority, Organization and Staffing 57
§2301. Authority 57
§2303. State Plan 57
§2304. Expedited Administrative Process 57
§2305. Child Support Enforcement Staff 57
Chapter 25. Support Enforcement 58
Subchapter A. Agency Cooperation 58
§2507. IV-A Agency Treatment of Support Payments 58
Subchapter B. Support Obligation 58
§2509. Income Assignment 58
Subchapter C. Formula for Support Obligation 58
§2511. Child Support Award Guidelines 58
§2512. Adjustment of Child Support Orders 58
Subchapter D. Collection and Distribution of Support Payments 59
§2513. Collection of Spousal Support 59
§2514. Distribution of Child Support Collections 59
§2515. IRS Collection Fee for Non-FITAP Applicants 59
§2516. Recovery of Erroneous Child Support Payments 60
§2517. Application Fee for Former FITAP Recipients 60
§2518. Electronic Distribution of Child Support Payments 60
Subchapter E. Individuals Not Otherwise Eligible 60
§2520. Locate Fee for Non-FITAP Recipients (Formerly §2525) 60
§2521. Child Support Application Fee 60
§2523. Mandatory Fee for Successful Child Support Collection 60
Subchapter F. Cooperation with Other States 61
§2524. Uniform Interstate Family Support Act 61
§2525. Automated Administrative Enforcement in Interstate Cases 61
Subchapter G. Reserved (previously Parent Locator Service) 61
Subchapter H. Medical Support Activities 61
§2527. Securing and Enforcing Medical Support Obligation 61
Subchapter I. Tax Refund Offset 61
§2529. State Tax Refunds 61
§2531. Advance Notice of State Tax Refund Interception 62
§2532. Federal Administrative Offsets 62
§2533. Federal Tax Refunds 62
Subchapter J. State Lottery Offset 62
§2535. Assignment of Lottery Winnings by Support Enforcement Services 62
Subchapter K. Withholding of Unemployment Compensation 62
§2537. Collecting Unemployment Compensation Payments 62
Subchapter L. Enforcement of Support Obligations 63
§2539. Enforcement of Child Support Orders 63
§2540. Judicial Suspension of License(s) for Nonpayment of Child Support 63
§2541. Information Released to Consumer Reporting Agencies 63
§2542. Voiding of Fraudulent Transfers 63
§2543. Cooperative Endeavor in the Collection of Unpaid Child Support 63
§2545. Administrative Suspension of Licenses Issued by the State of Louisiana 64
§2547. Passport Denial 65
Subchapter M. Cooperation with Other State Agencies 65
§2575. Department of Revenue and Taxation 65
§2576. Department of Motor Vehicles and Law Enforcement Agencies 65
Subchapter N. Publication of Names of Delinquent Payors 65
§2579. Publication of Names 65
§2580. Publication of the "Most Wanted" Poster 65
Chapter 27. General Program Administration 66
Subchapter A. Establishment of Paternity 66
§2701. Blood Tests 66
§2703. Hospital-Based Paternity Acknowledgment Program 66
§2705. Administrative Process for Establishing Paternity 66
Subchapter B. Reserved 66
Subchapter C. Establishment and Modification of Support Orders 66
§2754. Obtaining Consumer Reports for Purposes Related to Child Support 66
§2755. Cooperative Agreements with Financial Institutions 66
Subchapter D. State Case Registry 66
§2756. Safeguarding Information 66
Chapter 28. Non-IV-D Program 67
Subchapter A. Non-IV-D Case Administration 67
§2801. General Provisions 67
§2802. Agency Guidelines 67
Subpart 6. General Assistance (GA)
Chapter 33. Application, Eligibility, and Furnishing Assistance 69
Subchapter A. Application, Determination of Eligibility, and Furnishing Assistance 69
§3301. Phase Out of General Assistance Program 69
Subpart 8. U.S. Citizens Repatriation Program
Chapter 39. Organization 71
Subchapter A. Designation and Authority of State Agency 71
§3901. Authority 71
§3903. State Plan 71
Subpart 9. Refugee Resettlement Program
Chapter 41. Administration 73
§4101. Authority 73
Chapter 43. Application, Eligibility, and Furnishing Assistance 73
Subchapter A. Coverage and Conditions of Eligibility 73
§4301. Coverage and Conditions 73
Subchapter B. Need and Amount of Assistance 73
§4303. Earned Income Disregard 73
§4305. Payment Standard 73
§4307. Payment Amount 73
Subpart 11. Disability Determination Services
Chapter 49. Organization 75
Subchapter A. Designation and Authority of State Agency 75
§4901. Federal Guidelines 75
Subpart 12. Child Care Assistance Program
Chapter 51. Child Care Assistance Program 77
Subchapter A. Administration, Conditions of Eligibility, and Funding 77
§5101. Authority 77
§5102. Definitions 77
§5103. Conditions of Eligibility 78
§5104. Reporting Requirements Effective February 1, 2004 79
§5105. Funding Availability 80
§5106. Ineligible Payments 80
Subchapter B. Child Care Providers 80
§5107. Child Care Providers 80
§5109. Payments 83
§5113. Disqualification Periods for CCAP Providers 84
Subchapter C. Child Care Quality Rating System 85
§5115. Authority 85
§5117. Definitions 85
§5119. Quality Start Child Care Rating System Requirements 86
§5121. Participation 89
§5123. Quality Start Child Care Rating System Tiered Bonus Payments 90
§5124. Child Care Quality Rating System Administration 90
Subchapter D. Louisiana Pathways Child Care Career Development System (LA Pathways) 90
§5125. Authority 90
§5127. Participation in LA Pathways 90
Subpart 13. Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP)
Chapter 53. Application, Eligibility, and Furnishing Assistance 93
Subchapter A. Application, Determination of Eligibility, and Furnishing Assistance 93
§5301. Application 93
§5303. Application Time Limit 93
§5305. Certification Period and Reapplication 93
§5307. Notices of Adverse Actions 93
§5309. Domestic Violence 94
Subchapter B. Conditions of Eligibility 94
§5321. Age Limit 94
§5323. Citizenship 94
§5325. Enumeration 95
§5327. Living in the Home of a Qualified Caretaker Relative 95
§5329. Income 95
§5331. Immunization 96
§5333. Residency 97
§5337. Assignment of Support Rights and Cooperation with Support Enforcement Services 97
§5339. Parenting Skills Education 97
§5343. Fleeing Felons and Probation/Parole Violators 98
§5345. Individuals Convicted of a Felony Involving a Controlled Substance 98
§5347. Reporting Changes 98
§5349. Foster Care Payments 98
§5351. Use of KCSP Benefits 98
Subchapter C. Recovery 99
§5383. Recovery of Overpayments 99
§5385. IV-D Recovery of Support Payments 100
Subchapter D. Special Initiatives 100
§5390. Energy Assistance 100
Subpart 15. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Initiatives
Chapter 55. TANF Initiatives 101
§5501. Introduction to the TANF Initiatives 101
§5505. Nonpublic School Early Childhood Development Program 101
§5509. Family Violence Prevention and Intervention Program 101
§5511. Micro-Enterprise Development Program 102
§5531. After-School Tutorial and Summer Enrichment Programs 102
§5539. Truancy Assessment and Service Centers 102
§5541. Court-Appointed Special Advocates 102
§5543. Drug Courts Program 103
§5545. Remediation and Tutoring Programs 103
§5549. OCS Child Welfare Programs 103
§5551. Community Response Initiative (Effective July 1, 2002) 104
§5555. Individual Development Account Program (Effective July 1, 2002) 105
§5559. Early Childhood Supports and Services Program (Effective August 2, 2002) 106
§5561. Early Childhood Education and Parenting Services 106
§5563. Substance Abuse Treatment Program for Needy Families 107
§5567. Legal Access and Visitation 107
§5569. Alternatives to Abortion Services Program 107
§5571. Parenting/Fatherhood Services Program (Effective September 30, 2002) 107
§5573. Community Supervision Program 108
§5575. Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program 108
§5577. Pre- and Post-Release Family Strengthening Program 108
§5579. State Child Care Tax Credit 109
§5581. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Program 109
§5583. Temporary Emergency Disaster Assistance Program 109
§5585. LA 4 Public Pre-Kindergarten Program 110
§5587. Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools 110
§5589. Homeless Initiative 111
§5591. Jobs for America's Graduates Louisiana (JAGS-LA) Program 111
§5593. Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) Program 111
§5595. General Education Development (GED) Testing Program 112
§5597. Child Welfare Emergency Assistance Services Program 112
§5599. Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Grants 112
Subpart 16. Strategies to Empower People (STEP) Program
Chapter 57. Strategies to Empower People (STEP) Program 115
Subchapter A. Designation and Authority of State Agency 115
§5701. General Authority 115
§5703. Program Administration 115
§5705. Definitions 115
§5707. Domestic Violence 116
Subchapter B. Participation Requirements 116
§5709. School Attendance 116
§5711. Parenting Skills Education 116
§5713. Work Activities 116
§5715. Good Cause 117
§5717. Sanctions 117
Subchapter C. STEP Program Process 117
§5719. Family Assessment 117
§5721. Job Readiness 117
§5723. Comprehensive Assessment 118
§5725. Family Success Agreement (FSA) 118
§5729. Support Services 118
Subpart 17. Earned Income Tax Credit and Tax
Assistance Program for Filers without Children
Chapter 58. Earned Income Tax Credit and Tax Assistance Program for Filers without Children 119
Subchapter A. Designation and Authority of State Agency 119
§5801. Authority 119
§5803. Administration 119
Subchapter B. Eligibility 119
§5805. Conditions of Eligibility 119
Part V. Child Welfare
Subpart 1. General Administration
Chapter 2. Treatment 121
§203. Limitation of Funds for Treatment 121
Chapter 3. Training and Staff Development 121
§303. Training for Child Protection Investigation Staff Supervising the Taking of Videotaped Statements 121
Chapter 4. Placements 121
§401. Interethnic Adoption Provisions 121
Subpart 2. Community Services
Chapter 7. Social Services Block Grant 123
§701. Authority 123
§703. Federal Goals of Block Grant Program 123
§705. Services 123
§707. Eligibility 123
§709. Responsibility for Eligibility Determination 124
§711. Copayments 124
§713. Funding 124
§715. Available Information 124
§717. Allocation of Hurricane Relief Funds SSBG Supplemental Appropriation 124
Chapter 10. Children's Trust Fund 128
§1001. Plan for Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect 128
Subpart 3. Child Protective Services
Chapter 11. Administration and Authority 129
§1103. State Central Registry 129
§1105. Maintenance of Information on Reports and Investigations 131
Chapter 13. Intake 132
§1301. Child Protection Investigation Report Acceptance 132
§1303. Time Limits on Acceptance of Reports 133
Chapter 15. Conducting Investigations in Families 133
§1501. Audio Tape Recording of Interviews 133
§1505. Safe Haven Relinquishment 133
Subpart 4. Daycare Services
Chapter 23. Daycare 135
§2301. Daycare Services 135
Subpart 5. Foster Care
Chapter 35. Payments, Reimbursables, and Expenditures 137