All months that you actually get FITAP cash payments are usually, but not always, counted.   These months should not count: 

• When you were under 18;
• You were disabled or incapacitated (that is, you had a greatly reduced ability to work);
• You were pregnant, but only from the 3rd trimester to birth;
• You got payments in a state other than Louisiana.

Yes.  You should be exempt from the time limits if you are:

• Medically certified as physically or mentally disabled (unable to perform full-time work) or incapacitated (have a greatly reduced ability to work);
• Actively searching for work (that is, make and prove at least 20 job contacts per month or participate in the state's FIND Work job search program;
• Unemployable (the state must consult with social service agencies about your ability to work, before making this decision);
• Still unemployed after 2 months of active job search in a state-designated high unemployment parish;
• Unemployed due to the recent loss of your job, for reasons not related to your job performance (for example, lay-off), plus you are actively looking for work;
• In FIND Work-approved job-related education or training and you can finish it in 1 year or less; or
• Suffering hardships that make it hard for you to get work.

I am about to be evicted from my apartment.  Is that the kind of hardship that counts?

Yes.  Hardships include times when:

• You are addicted but under treatment, and your doctors recommend that you do not try to work during treatment;
• You do not have adequate child care or transportation;
• There is a temporary family problem such as death, eviction, serious illness, or accident;
• There is domestic violence in your family; or
• A disabled or incapacitated family member needs your full-time care.

Mistakes are often made.  You have the right to appeal.  This is what you can do:

1.      Appeal if you do not agree and you want a hearing.  You should be given a notice in writing that has a space you can fill out to appeal.  Appeal right away.  Take the notice to your local office of the Department of Social Services, Office of Family Support.  Make sure you take an adult witness with you, or get a copy of your appeal.   You should have proof you filed the appeal on time.  If there is enough time, you may want to go to your nearest free legal services office, to see if they can help you appeal.

2.     Go to the hearing and try to get legal help.  The free legal services program in your area should be able to help you, if they have enough staff, and if it seems that the state made a mistake cutting you off.  It is better to have a lawyer or other representative to help you than to go to the hearing by yourself.  But if you cannot get help, you still should go to the hearing if you disagree with the cut-off of your cash payments.  At the hearing, you have the right to look at all the evidence against you, question the state's witnesses, testify yourself, and bring your own witnesses to help you.