Senior benefits in Richland Parish, Louisiana
Seniors living in Richland Parish, Louisiana may qualify for a wide range of benefit programs at the local, state, and federal levels. A good place to start is the Richland Council on Aging, which is part of the Cenla Area Agency on Aging region and connects residents to services and support. Locally, the Richland Council on Aging also offers senior transportation to help with getting around. Residents who need help paying energy bills may qualify for assistance through the Delta Community Action Association's LIHEAP program, and those facing medical costs can explore financial assistance through Richardson Medical Center. At the state level, programs like Louisiana Medicaid, the Community Choices Waiver, Long-Term Personal Care Services, Medicare Savings Programs, and LaSHIP free Medicare counseling may help reduce costs. Property tax relief options and SNAP food assistance are also available. Federal programs add even more possibilities. Each program listing on this page includes 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
Richland Council on Aging (Cenla Area Agency on Aging region)
1-318-728-2646
See which of these Richland Parish programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Richland 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 Richland Parish
Run by the parish, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Richland Parish. Start here.
Elder Services in Richland 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 / Richland Council on Aging) — Richland Parish
CountyThe Richland Council on Aging serves older adults in Richland 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, caregiver sitter service, outreach, recreation, telephone check-ins, transportation, utility assistance, friendly visiting, and wellness programs. The office is in Rayville. Call 318-728-2646 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 Richland Parish
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,600 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Delta Community Action Association) — Richland Parish
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home heating and cooling bills. In Richland Parish, the Louisiana Housing Corporation lists Delta Community Action Association as the local LIHEAP provider (office in Tallulah, Madison Parish). Crisis help is available if a household has a disconnect or pending disconnection notice. Call 318-574-2130 to apply.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,600 a year
Healthcare in Richland Parish
Hospital Financial Assistance (Richardson Medical Center) — Richland Parish
CountyRichardson Medical Center in Rayville does not post a financial assistance policy on its website. Patients who are uninsured or cannot pay a hospital bill can call 318-728-4181 and ask the business office about financial assistance, payment plans, or help applying for Medicaid.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Richland Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Senior transportation (Richland Council on Aging) — Richland Parish
CountyThe Richland Council on Aging lists transportation among its services for older adults in Richland Parish. Call 318-728-2646 to ask about rides, where they go, and how far ahead to book. The state's rural transit guide lists no separate public transit provider for Richland Parish.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Richland 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.
Richland Council on Aging (Cenla Area Agency on Aging region)
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Cenla Area Agency on Aging / Richland Council on Aging)
Delta Community Action Association
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Delta Community Action Association)
Richardson Medical Center
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Richardson Medical Center)
Richland Council on Aging
Louisiana and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Richland 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.