Senior benefits in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana
Seniors living in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday costs, health care, and staying independent at home. Locally, the DeSoto Council on Aging connects residents to services and supports, while DeSoto Public Transit offers rural transportation options for those who need a ride. DeSoto Regional Health System provides a Hospital Financial Assistance program for those who qualify, and the DeSoto Parish Police Jury Office of Community Services administers local LIHEAP energy assistance to help with utility bills. At the state level, programs like Louisiana Medicaid for people 65+, the Community Choices Waiver, Long-Term Personal Care Services, Medicare Savings Programs, and LaSHIP free Medicare counseling may also be available. Homeowners may benefit from the Homestead exemption or the Special assessment level property tax freeze. Federal programs add even more options for eligible residents. Each program listing on this page shows its official source and the date it was last verified, and the administering agency makes the final eligibility decision.
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Local programs
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Louisiana programs
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Federal programs
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Categories
Last verified · September 28, 2026
Local starting point
DeSoto Council on Aging (Caddo Council on Aging region)
1-318-872-3700
See which of these DeSoto Parish programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the DeSoto 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 DeSoto Parish
Run by the parish, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving DeSoto Parish. Start here.
Elder Services in DeSoto Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Caddo Council on Aging / DeSoto Council on Aging) — DeSoto Parish
CountyThe DeSoto Council on Aging serves older adults in DeSoto 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, personal care, caregiver sitter service, outreach, recreation, and wellness programs. The office is in Mansfield. Call 318-872-3700 to ask about services. The Caddo Council on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center for the region; call it at 318-676-7900.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in DeSoto Parish
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,600 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (DeSoto Parish Police Jury Office of Community Services) — DeSoto Parish
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home heating and cooling bills. In DeSoto Parish, the Louisiana Housing Corporation lists DeSoto Parish Police Jury Office of Community Services as the local LIHEAP provider in Mansfield. Crisis help is available if a household has a disconnect or pending disconnection notice. Call 318-872-0880 to apply.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,600 a year
Healthcare in DeSoto Parish
Hospital Financial Assistance (DeSoto Regional Health System) — DeSoto Parish
CountyDeSoto Regional Health System in Mansfield offers assistance to people with no insurance coverage, based on verified income and expense information, and a discount for prompt payment. If you expect trouble paying, contact the business office before admission. Call the Patient Financial Counselor at 318-872-4610, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in DeSoto Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Rural public transit (DeSoto Public Transit) — DeSoto Parish
CountyDeSoto Public Transit, run by the DeSoto Parish Council on Aging, is the only full-service public transportation in DeSoto Parish and is open to the general public. It runs 4:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on Saturday for dialysis trips only. Fares are $6 to $15 depending on age and pickup area. Call 318-872-3700.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving DeSoto 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.
DeSoto Council on Aging (Caddo Council on Aging region)
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Caddo Council on Aging / DeSoto Council on Aging)
DeSoto Parish Police Jury Office of Community Services
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (DeSoto Parish Police Jury Office of Community Services)
DeSoto Regional Health System
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (DeSoto Regional Health System)
DeSoto Parish Council on Aging (DeSoto Public Transit), for the DeSoto Parish Police Jury
Louisiana and federal programs
Open to eligible households in DeSoto 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.