Federal Resources

Information on Housing

Local Housing Agents

How to Acquire a Free Mobile Phone

The Lifeline Program is a federal program which provides support to telecommunications companies that in turn offer discounts to eligible consumers. 

Filing Taxes (Federal & State)

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service and Louisiana Department of Revenue have an online presence that includes tax forms and publications, filing and payments, refunds, credits and deductions, help and resources.

Applying for Government Grants

Grants.gov system houses information on over 1,000 grant programs and vets grant applications for 26 federal grant-making agencies.

Applying for Disaster Assistance

Disaster assistance is financial or direct assistance to individuals & families whose property has been damaged or destroyed as a result of a federally-declared disaster & whose losses are not covered by insurance.

Applying for Student Aid 

There are many avenues that prospective college students can use when searching for financial aid.

Applying for U.S. Citizenship

To apply for naturalization, you will need to file Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization).

Louisiana Resources

LA CAFÉ

LA CAFÉ is an acronym that stands for Common Access Front End. CAFÉ is the system used by DCFS to link external and internal facing computer systems. LA CAFÉ is the common access point for applying for SNAP (Food Stamps, FITAP, CCAP, KCSP and Child Support.  

• Customer Portal
• Practice using LA CAFÉ
• Locate Community Partner

FITAP (Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program

The Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) is a public assistance program that provides financial aid for children in their own homes who are in need because they do not have sufficient financial support from parents. The overall goal of FITAP is to decrease the long-term dependency on public assistance by promoting job preparation and work. Public assistance is no longer a lifetime benefit but an opportunity to become independent after a financial crisis. The program is administered at the state level by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

CCAP (Childcare Assistance Program)

Childcare Assistance Program helps low-income families pay for childcare while working or attending school or training.

• Qualifications for CCAP
• Applying for CCAP

KCSP (Kinship Care Subsidy Program)

The Department of Children and Family Services’ Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP) provides cash assistance of $450 per month for each eligible child who resides with a qualified relative other than a parent.

• Qualifications for KCSP
• Applying for KCSP

Child Support Enforcement

Child Support Enforcement is a program that works with parents to provide emotional, financial, and medical support for their child or children. DCFS offers parent locator and paternity establishment services, as well as assistance to establish and enforce child support orders and collection and distribution of child support payments.

Community Partners

WIC Assistance

WIC is a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children (under 5 years old).

• Find out more about WIC
• How to receive WIC Benefits
• Are you income eligible for WIC?

Medical Assistance

Applying for Medicare

Medicare is our country's health insurance program for people age 65 or older. People younger that age 65 with certain disabilities can qualify for Medicare.

Applying for Medicaid

Medicaid provides medical benefits to low-income individuals and families.

Medicaid Centers

Applying for ACA (Affordable Care) 

• Apply for ACA

Louisiana Law

Louisiana Law

Louisiana Legislators

Desoto Parish Information

• Desoto Parish Police Jury
• Desoto Parish Clerk of Court
• City of Logansport
• City of Mansfield
• City of Stonewall

 Special Services

Applying for Selective Service

If you are a man ages 18 through 25 and living in the U.S., then you must register with Selective Service within 30 days of his 18th birthday.

• Online Registration
• Online Forms

Obtaining Assistance with Utilities

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP helps keep families safe & healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs. In Louisiana, this program is administered by the Louisiana Association of Community Action Partnerships, Inc., LACAP, in concert with community action agencies throughout the state. Every parish is served. Funding for the program is dependent on adoption and approval of the federal budget and is not guaranteed.

• Eligibility Requirements
• LIHEAP Application Guide

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

WAP provides grants to states, territories, and some Indian tribes to improve the energy efficiency of the homes of low-income families.

• Eligibility Requirements

LIHEAP & WAP Service Provider

DeSoto Parish Police Jury
Office of Community Service
404 Polk Street
Mansfield, LA 71052
(318) 872-0880
(318) 871-8616 (Fax)
Ms. Mary Mayfield
mmayfield@desotoppi.com

Applying for Social Security Benefits

Social Security assist older Americans, workers who become disabled and families in which a spouse or a parent dies.

• Register for my Social Security
• Apply for Medicare Benefits
• Apply for Disability Insurance

Applying VA Benefits

Veteran Affairs Benefits are available for eligible veterans for numerous benefits through GI Bill programs.

Veteran Transitioning

Applying for a Passport

U.S. passports are issued by the U.S. Department of State. All U.S. Citizens must get a passport for overseas travel.

Senior Citizen Services

• Assisted Living in Louisiana