Senior benefits in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana
Seniors living in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday costs, health care, and staying independent at home. The Calcasieu Council on Aging is a strong local starting point, connecting residents to services designed specifically for this parish. Local programs also include energy bill help through the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Human Services Department's LIHEAP energy assistance, financial assistance for medical care at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, and affordable rides through the Calcasieu Parish Public Transit System. At the state level, programs like Community Choices Waiver, Long-Term Personal Care Services, Louisiana Medicaid, and Medicare Savings Programs may help cover health and personal care needs. Louisiana seniors may also benefit from property tax relief through the homestead exemption and the special assessment level freeze. Free Medicare counseling is available through LaSHIP. On top of that, dozens of federal programs may apply as well. Each program listing below includes its source and the date it was last verified, and the sponsoring agency makes all final eligibility decisions.
4
Local programs
10
Louisiana programs
25
Federal programs
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Categories
Last verified · September 28, 2026
Local starting point
Calcasieu Council on Aging
1-337-474-2583
See which of these Calcasieu Parish programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Calcasieu Parish benefits checklist — free to hand out.
When benefit rules change, it’s tracked here
Income limits, new requirements, how to apply — see what’s changed across senior benefit programs, from the official source in plain English.
Programs run in Calcasieu Parish
Run by the parish, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Calcasieu Parish. Start here.
Elder Services in Calcasieu Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Calcasieu Council on Aging) — Calcasieu Parish
CountyThe Calcasieu Council on Aging helps older adults and people with disabilities in Calcasieu Parish stay independent. Services include home-delivered meals on weekdays, meals at group meal sites, rides to doctor's appointments and errands, routine home cleaning, information from the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), and support for nursing home residents and their families. Services are free for clients who qualify, based on greatest need. Call 337-474-2583 or 1-800-223-5872.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Calcasieu Parish
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,600 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Human Services Department) — Calcasieu Parish
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home heating and cooling bills. In Calcasieu Parish, the Louisiana Housing Corporation lists Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Human Services Department as the local LIHEAP provider. Crisis help is available if a household has a disconnect or pending disconnection notice. Call 337-721-4030 to apply.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,600 a year
Healthcare in Calcasieu Parish
Hospital Financial Assistance (Lake Charles Memorial Hospital) — Calcasieu Parish
CountyLake Charles Memorial Hospital in Lake Charles is part of Lake Charles Memorial Health System. Lake Charles Memorial Health System offers financial assistance to eligible patients who cannot afford to pay. Patients whose gross family income is at or below 275% of the federal poverty guidelines for their family size are eligible and will not be charged more than amounts generally billed. Care is free at or below 138% of the poverty guidelines (the 2026 table lists $22,024 a year for one person or $29,863 for two), with smaller discounts above that up to 275% ($44,048 for one person or $59,724 for two). Financial assistance is secondary to all other coverage, and financial counselors can also help apply for Medicaid and the QMB Medicare savings program. Call a financial counselor at 337.494.4637, 337.494.4715 or 337-494-4733.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Calcasieu Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public transit (Calcasieu Parish Public Transit System) — Calcasieu Parish
CountyCalcasieu Parish Public Transit gives origin-to-destination, demand-response rides to the general public across Calcasieu Parish. All vehicles are ADA accessible. Rides run 5:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The fare is $2.00 for elderly riders (65+) and riders with disabilities, and $4.00 for other adults. Call (337) 721-4040. Inside Lake Charles city limits, Lake Charles Transit runs fixed-route buses and paratransit (application required) at 337-491-1253.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Calcasieu Parish
Who runs the parish programs above, and how to reach them. Every line comes from a program record on this page — nothing is added that the catalog does not cite.
Calcasieu Council on Aging
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Calcasieu Council on Aging)
Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Human Services Department
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Human Services Department)
Lake Charles Memorial Hospital (Lake Charles Memorial Health System)
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Lake Charles Memorial Hospital)
Calcasieu Parish Police Jury (Calcasieu Parish Public Transit)
Runs: Public transit (Calcasieu Parish Public Transit System)
Louisiana and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Calcasieu Parish and across the rest of Louisiana. Full details are on the Louisiana benefits page.
Elder Services
- LaSHIP — free Medicare counseling (Louisiana Senior Health Information Program)State$100–$2,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrCashOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
- LIHEAP energy assistance (Louisiana)State$200–$1,600/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrCashOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrCashOfficial source →
- SNAP food assistance (Louisiana)State$276–$3,576/yrCashOfficial source →
Health Coverage
- Louisiana Medicaid for people 65+, blind, or disabled (SSI and Provisional Medicaid)State$2,000–$15,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Home Care
- Long-Term Personal Care Services (LT-PCS) — Medicaid help with daily care at homeState$3,000–$20,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrCashOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Community Choices Waiver (CCW) — Medicaid care at home instead of a nursing homeState$5,000–$25,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI)State$2,100–$5,200/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federal$0–$1,125/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Homestead exemption (property tax) for Louisiana homeownersState$100–$1,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Special assessment level (property tax assessment freeze) for homeowners 65+, disabled, or disabled veteransState$0–$1,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Louisiana income tax: $12,000 retirement income exclusion for age 65+ (and exempt Social Security and public pensions)State$0–$360/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrCashOfficial source →
Nearby parishes
Local programs differ from one parish to the next. If you live near a parish line, or you are helping a parent who lives in one of these, it is worth checking there too.
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.