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Louisiana.gov  >   DCFS   >  Economic Stability High Contrast Version   |   Text Size: Increase Text SizeDecrease Text Size
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Reporting Fraud

Fraud includes concealing or not reporting information in order to receive ineligible public assistance benefits (the Food Stamp Program, Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program, Kinship Care Subsidy Program and Child Care Assistance Program) and Electronic Benefit Transfer benefits.

How Can I Report Fraud?

If you suspect someone is illegally receiving public assistance benefits or is illegally using an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card:

Fill out the Fraud Complaint Form online

Call Toll Free 1-888-LAHELP-U
(1-888-524-3578) and select option 7 from the main menu.

E-mail DCFS.Fraud@LA.gov


If you suspect retailers are accepting food stamp benefits for unauthorized items (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets), contact U.S.D.A. Food and Nutrition Services Compliance Section at (225) 757-7710.Examples of fraud
Following are examples of some of the things that people conceal or do not report in order to receive ineligible public assistance benefits:
  • Someone in the home beginning to work or quitting work
  • Actual earnings or income of all household members
  • Self-employment or doing odd jobs without reporting the income
  • Ownership of property
  • Money in the bank
  • Unearned income such as social security, child support, unemployment
    compensation or veteran’s benefits for any household members
  • Everyone living in the home
  • Someone moving in or out of the home
  • Receiving assistance in one parish while living in another parish or state
  • Receiving assistance in more than one parish or state
  • Changes in a child’s attendance at day care

EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) is a method of electronically delivering government benefits. Instead of checks and food stamp coupons, recipients of public assistance have the Louisiana Purchase (LAP) automated benefit card. The Office of Family Support is also responsible for conducting EBT fraud investigations in conjunction with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

The types of violations are:

  • Retailer trafficking (buying or selling food stamp benefits)
  • Recipient fraud (buying and selling cards or benefits)
  • Counterfeit card schemes
Investigating FraudThe Economic Stability parish offce is responsible for providing assistance to needy individuals and is committed to maintaining the integrity of the programs administered under its jurisdiction. Equally important is the agency's role in insuring that the fraudulent receipt of such benefits is detected and that appropriate measures are taken to terminate ineligible cases and to recover ineligible benefits.

The Program Integrity and Improvement Division is charged with the primary responsibility for fraud detection and recovery of ineligible benefits in the programs administered by DCFS. This Section is also responsible for the collection of overpayments to both recipients and providers.