Senior benefits in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
Seniors living in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, food, energy bills, housing costs, and daily living. The Jefferson Council on Aging is a strong local starting point — it connects older adults and their families to services and support across the parish. Jefferson Transit and its MITS paratransit service help seniors get where they need to go, while the Jefferson Community Action Agency can assist with energy costs through LIHEAP. Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner offers a hospital financial assistance program for those who qualify. At the state level, programs like LaSHIP provide free Medicare counseling, and options such as the Community Choices Waiver and Long-Term Personal Care Services can help seniors stay at home instead of moving to a nursing facility. Property tax relief, Medicaid, SNAP, and Medicare Savings Programs are also available. Federal programs add even more options. Each program listed on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, and the sponsoring 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
Jefferson Council on Aging, Inc.
1-504-888-5880
See which of these Jefferson Parish programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Jefferson 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 Jefferson Parish
Run by the parish, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Jefferson Parish. Start here.
Elder Services in Jefferson Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Jefferson Council on Aging) — Jefferson Parish
CountyThe Jefferson Council on Aging in Metairie serves older adults in Jefferson Parish. Services include meals at senior centers, home-delivered meals, homemaker help, information and assistance, legal help, medication management, personal care, transportation, and caregiver respite and adult day health. Call (504) 888-5880 to ask about services. It also runs the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) for Jefferson, St. Charles, St. James, and St. John parishes, a place to start for long-term care options.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Jefferson Parish
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,600 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Jefferson Community Action Agency) — Jefferson Parish
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home cooling and heating bills. Jefferson Community Action Agency in Jefferson takes applications for Jefferson Parish. LIHEAP may help with a cooling or heating bill, a crisis bill such as a shut-off notice, or repair or replacement of a heating or cooling unit. You must be responsible for the home energy bill, and a household can get one LIHEAP benefit each season. Call 504-736-6900 to apply. Another listed line is 504-736-6321.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,600 a year
Healthcare in Jefferson Parish
Hospital Financial Assistance (Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner) — Jefferson Parish
CountyOchsner Medical Center – Kenner is a full hospital in Jefferson Parish. Ochsner Health offers financial assistance for emergency and medical care to patients who cannot pay. Ochsner's financial assistance page says help is based on family income and the federal poverty guidelines, and you may qualify for 100% financial assistance if your family income is 200% or less of the federal guidelines. Help applies to your portion of the bill, such as a deductible or copay. To apply, call 504-842-4190 or apply through MyOchsner.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Jefferson Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public transit and MITS paratransit (Jefferson Transit) — Jefferson Parish
CountyJefferson Transit runs fixed-route buses on the East Bank and West Bank of Jefferson Parish and to downtown New Orleans. Medicare, elderly and disabled riders pay $1.00 (regular fare is $1.50, or $2.00 to cross the river). All buses are accessible. For people who cannot use the regular bus, MITS (Mobility Impaired Transit System) gives curb-to-curb rides to certified riders for $3.00; rides can be requested up to one week ahead. Call 504-364-3450.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Jefferson 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.
Jefferson Council on Aging, Inc.
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Jefferson Council on Aging)
Jefferson Community Action Agency, Inc.
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Jefferson Community Action Agency)
Ochsner Health (Ochsner Medical Center
Jefferson Transit (JeT), Jefferson Parish
Runs: Public transit and MITS paratransit (Jefferson Transit)
Louisiana and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Jefferson 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.