Senior benefits in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana
Seniors living in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana may qualify for a wide range of benefit programs at the local, state, and federal level. The Caldwell Council on Aging, part of the Cenla Area Agency on Aging region, is a strong local starting point for finding help. Local programs include rural transportation through Caldwell Parish Public Transit, energy bill assistance through the LaSalle Community Action Association's LIHEAP program, and financial assistance for medical bills at Citizens Medical Center. At the state level, programs such as Louisiana Medicaid for people 65 and older, the Community Choices Waiver, Long-Term Personal Care Services, and Medicare Savings Programs can help cover health and daily care needs. Homeowners may benefit from the homestead exemption or the special assessment level property tax freeze. Free Medicare counseling is available through LaSHIP. Dozens of federal programs also apply here. Each program listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, and the relevant agency makes the final eligibility decision.
4
Local programs
10
Louisiana programs
25
Federal programs
16
Categories
Last verified · September 28, 2026
Local starting point
Caldwell Council on Aging (Cenla Area Agency on Aging region)
1-318-649-2584
See which of these Caldwell Parish programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Caldwell 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 Caldwell Parish
Run by the parish, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Caldwell Parish. Start here.
Elder Services in Caldwell Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Cenla Area Agency on Aging / Caldwell Council on Aging) — Caldwell Parish
CountyThe Caldwell Council on Aging serves older adults in Caldwell Parish. Services include group meals at senior centers, home-delivered meals, homemaker help, information and referral, legal assistance, material aid, medication management, in-home respite for family caregivers, outreach, recreation, transportation, and wellness programs. The office is in Columbia. Call 318-649-2584 to ask about services. The Cenla Area Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center for the region; call it at 318-484-2260.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Caldwell Parish
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,600 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (LaSalle Community Action Association) — Caldwell Parish
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home heating and cooling bills. In Caldwell Parish, the Louisiana Housing Corporation lists LaSalle Community Action Association as the local LIHEAP provider (Caldwell office line 318-649-6460). Crisis help is available if a household has a disconnect or pending disconnection notice. Call 318-649-6460 to apply.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,600 a year
Healthcare in Caldwell Parish
Hospital Financial Assistance (Citizens Medical Center) — Caldwell Parish
CountyCitizens Medical Center in Columbia does not post a financial assistance policy on its website. Patients who are uninsured or cannot pay a hospital bill can call 318-649-6106 and ask the business office about financial assistance, payment plans, or help applying for Medicaid.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Caldwell Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Rural public transit (Caldwell Parish Public Transit) — Caldwell Parish
CountyCaldwell Parish Public Transit, run by the Caldwell Parish Council on Aging, offers demand-response rides to people of all ages in Caldwell Parish, 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Fares are $5.00 to $10.00. Call 318-649-0107 or toll-free 877-382-0107.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Caldwell 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.
Caldwell Council on Aging (Cenla Area Agency on Aging region)
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Cenla Area Agency on Aging / Caldwell Council on Aging)
LaSalle Community Action Association
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (LaSalle Community Action Association)
Citizens Medical Center
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Citizens Medical Center)
Caldwell Parish Council on Aging (Caldwell Parish Public Transit), for the Caldwell Parish Police Jury
Louisiana and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Caldwell 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.