Senior benefits in Red River Parish, Louisiana
Seniors living in Red River Parish, Louisiana have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday needs. The Red River Council on Aging is a strong local starting point, connecting residents to services and support in the parish. Red River Public Transit offers local transportation options for those who need help getting around. Residents facing high energy bills may find help through LIHEAP energy assistance, available locally through the DeSoto Parish Police Jury Office of Community Services. Those dealing with medical costs can explore financial assistance through CHRISTUS Coushatta Health Care Center. At the state level, programs like Louisiana Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, LaSHIP Medicare counseling, SNAP food assistance, and property tax relief options such as the homestead exemption and special assessment level freeze may also be available. Federal programs add even more layers of potential support. Each program listed on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, and the relevant 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
Red River Council on Aging (Caddo Council on Aging region)
1-318-932-5721
See which of these Red River Parish programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Red River 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 Red River Parish
Run by the parish, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Red River Parish. Start here.
Elder Services in Red River 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 / Red River Council on Aging) — Red River Parish
CountyThe Red River Council on Aging serves older adults in Red River Parish. Services include group meals at senior centers, home-delivered meals, homemaker help, information and referral, legal assistance, in-home respite for family caregivers, caregiver sitter service, outreach, recreation, transportation, and wellness programs. The office is in Coushatta. Call 318-932-5721 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 Red River 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) — Red River Parish
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home heating and cooling bills. In Red River Parish, the Louisiana Housing Corporation lists DeSoto Parish Police Jury Office of Community Services as the local LIHEAP provider (office in Mansfield, DeSoto Parish). Crisis help is available if a household has a disconnect or pending disconnection notice. Call 800-872-0889 to apply.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,600 a year
Healthcare in Red River Parish
Hospital Financial Assistance (CHRISTUS Coushatta Health Care Center) — Red River Parish
CountyCHRISTUS Coushatta Health Care Center in Coushatta is part of CHRISTUS Health, which gives charity care to patients with family income at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Patients above 300 percent with large medical bills may also qualify. You must apply for financial assistance and show proof of income. A financial counselor will first help you apply for any government coverage you may qualify for. Call the hospital at 318-932-2000 and ask for a financial counselor.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Red River Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Rural public transit (Red River Public Transit) — Red River Parish
CountyRed River Public Transit, run by the Red River Parish Council on Aging, offers demand-response rides to all residents of Red River Parish, 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, including non-emergency medical trips. Inside city limits, a round trip is $4 plus 50 cents for each extra stop; outside city limits it is $6 plus 50 cents for each extra stop. Call 318-932-5721.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Red River 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.
Red River Council on Aging (Caddo Council on Aging region)
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Caddo Council on Aging / Red River Council on Aging)
CHRISTUS Coushatta Health Care Center (CHRISTUS Health)
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (CHRISTUS Coushatta Health Care Center)
Red River Parish Council on Aging (Red River Public Transit), for the Red River Parish Police Jury
DeSoto Parish Police Jury Office of Community Services
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (DeSoto Parish Police Jury Office of Community Services)
Louisiana and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Red River 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.