What Louisiana Hire Does

Louisiana Hire is a state tax credit program that gives employers money back when they hire people from specific groups — mainly those receiving unemployment benefits, TANF (Temporary information for Needy Families), or SNAP (food information). The program does not give money directly to workers. Instead, it reduces what employers owe in state taxes, which can make hiring you more attractive to a business.

The credit is worth up to $2,400 per new hire in most cases, though the amount varies depending on which group you belong to and how long you stay employed. Employers explore for the credit through the Louisiana Department of Revenue, not through the unemployment office. Your role is to make sure your employer knows you are in one of the may have access to groups when they hire you — usually by showing proof of your current benefits or recent job loss.

This is not a program that pays your bills while you look for work. It is a hiring incentive meant to remove barriers between you and a job. Understanding how it works helps you recognize when an employer might be more willing to take a chance on you because of the tax break they receive.

Key Takeaways

  • Louisiana Hire gives employers a state tax credit when they hire someone receiving unemployment, TANF, or SNAP, but the money goes to the employer, not to you.
  • You do not need to do anything to "join" the program — your status as an unemployment recipient or TANF/SNAP participant automatically makes you may be able to access.
  • Tell your employer you are receiving benefits or recently lost a job, and provide proof if they ask, so they can claim the credit.
  • The credit is worth between $1,200 and $2,400 per hire depending on your circumstances, and employers must keep you employed for a set period to receive the full amount.

Who Can Be Hired Under Louisiana Hire

You are in a group that qualifies if you are currently receiving unemployment insurance benefits from Louisiana, or if you were laid off and your benefits have run out but you are still within a certain window after your last payment. The exact timeframe varies, so check with the Louisiana Workforce Commission if you are unsure whether you still count.

You also may have access to if you are receiving TANF (cash information through the state welfare program) or SNAP (food stamps). Some employers specifically recruit from these groups because the tax credit is larger. Veterans and people with disabilities may have additional pathways, though those are sometimes handled through separate federal programs rather than Louisiana Hire itself.

You do not need to register separately or fill out a form to be "in" the program. Your status in one of these benefit programs is what matters. When you explore for a job, mentioning that you are receiving benefits can actually work in your favor — it signals to the employer that they may receive a tax credit.

What Employers Need to Do to Claim the Credit

The employer must report your hire to the Louisiana Department of Revenue and provide proof that you were in a may have access to group at the time you were hired. This usually means showing a copy of your unemployment benefits letter, TANF award letter, or SNAP approval. The employer handles this paperwork — you do not file anything with the state.

Your employer must also keep you employed for a minimum period to receive the full credit. If you work for only a few weeks and then leave or are let go, the employer may receive a reduced credit or none at all. The exact retention period depends on which group you belong to and can range from a few months to longer. Ask your employer or the Louisiana Workforce Commission what the requirement is for your situation.

Some employers are more familiar with this program than others. Larger companies and those that work with workforce development agencies tend to know about it. If you are interviewing with a smaller business, you might mention it yourself: "I am currently receiving unemployment benefits, and I believe that qualifies me for the Louisiana Hire tax credit." This gives them a reason to move forward with your hire.

How Much the Credit Is Worth

The credit amount depends on which benefit program you are in and how long you stay employed. For someone receiving unemployment insurance, the credit is typically $1,200 to $2,400 per hire. TANF and SNAP recipients may have different amounts. The employer receives the credit as a reduction in their state income tax liability, usually claimed on their annual tax return.

The credit is not paid out all at once. Employers typically claim it after they have met the retention requirement — meaning you have worked there long enough for them to may have access to for the full amount. This is why retention matters: if you leave after two weeks, the employer may not bother claiming anything, or may claim only a partial credit.

The exact credit amount and retention period are set by state law and can change. The Louisiana Workforce Commission website or your local workforce office can tell you the current figures for your situation. Do not assume the credit is the same for every hire — it varies.

How to Make Sure Your Employer Knows About the Program

Start by being honest about your employment status during the hiring process. If you are receiving unemployment, TANF, or SNAP, say so. You are not required to disclose this, but mentioning it can help — employers who know about Louisiana Hire will see it as a benefit to them, not a red flag against you.

If the employer asks for proof of your benefits status, have your benefits letter or award letter ready. You can request a copy from the Louisiana Workforce Commission (for unemployment), the Office of Family Support (for TANF), or your local SNAP office. These letters show the dates you are receiving benefits and are what employers need to claim the credit.

If an employer seems unfamiliar with the program, you can direct them to the Louisiana Department of Revenue website or suggest they contact the Louisiana Workforce Commission. The Workforce Commission has staff who can explain the program to employers and help them with the paperwork. You are not responsible for teaching them, but providing the information can remove a barrier to your hire.

What Happens After You Are Hired

Once you start work, your job is to perform well and stay employed. The employer will handle all the paperwork with the state to claim the credit. You do not need to file anything or check on the status of the credit claim — that is between the employer and the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

If you leave the job or are let go before the retention period ends, the employer may lose part or all of the credit. This is not a penalty to you, but it does mean the employer has less incentive to hire someone in a may have access to group if people do not stay. If you are planning to leave, giving notice and working through a transition period helps both you and the employer.

Keep your benefits documentation in case the employer needs to verify your status later. Some employers are audited by the state to confirm they hired people from may have access to groups, and they may need to show proof again.

How Louisiana Hire Differs From Other Hiring Programs

Louisiana Hire is a tax credit for employers, not a direct payment to workers. This is different from programs like subsidized employment or on-the-job training, where the government pays part of your wages while you learn. With Louisiana Hire, you are hired at the employer's regular wage — the credit just makes that hire cheaper for them.

It is also different from Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), a federal program that serves some of the same groups. Some employers claim both credits for the same hire if the worker qualifies under both programs. Louisiana Hire is state-specific, while WOTC is federal. Your employer's tax professional would know whether you may have access to for one, both, or neither.

The program does not provide job training, childcare, transportation, or other support services. If you need those things to work, you may be better served by other workforce programs. The Louisiana Workforce Commission can point you toward services like subsidized childcare or transportation vouchers if you need them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to tell my employer I am receiving benefits?

No, you are not required to disclose it. However, telling them can help because it signals they may receive a tax credit. If they ask directly, you should answer honestly. Some employers specifically recruit from benefit programs because of the credit.

What if my benefits have already ended?

You may still may have access to for a limited time after your last payment, but the window is narrow. Contact the Louisiana Workforce Commission to learn about you are still within the may have access to period. If you are not, you would not count under Louisiana Hire, though you might may have access to under other hiring programs.

Can I get the tax credit money myself instead of the employer?

No. The credit is a tax reduction for the employer only. You are paid your regular wage by the employer. The credit is meant to make hiring you more attractive to the business, not to supplement your income.

What if I lose my job after being hired under Louisiana Hire?

The employer may lose part or all of the credit if you do not stay employed for the required retention period. This does not affect your unemployment benefits or your ability to file a new claim. You can still receive unemployment if you are laid off or let go.

How do I know if an employer is claiming the credit for me?

You typically will not know, and you do not need to. The employer files the claim with the Louisiana Department of Revenue, usually on their annual tax return. If you are curious, you can ask your employer, but they are not required to tell you whether they claimed it.