Senior benefits in St. James Parish, Louisiana
Seniors living in St. James Parish, Louisiana have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday costs, health care, and staying independent at home. The St. James Area Agency on Aging is a strong local starting point — it connects older adults and their families to services and support right in the parish. Local programs also include Hospital Financial Assistance through St. James Parish Hospital, energy bill help through LIHEAP energy assistance at the St. James Parish Department of Human Resources, and transportation options through St. James Parish Transit. 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 health care costs. Louisiana homeowners may also benefit from the Homestead exemption and the Special assessment level property tax freeze. Federal programs add even more options for eligible seniors. 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
St. James Area Agency on Aging, Department of Human Service
1-225-562-2305
See which of these St. James Parish programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the St. James 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 St. James Parish
Run by the parish, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving St. James Parish. Start here.
Elder Services in St. James Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (St. James Area Agency on Aging) — St. James Parish
CountyThe St. James Area Agency on Aging in Lutcher (part of St. James Parish Government) serves older adults in St. James Parish. Services include meals at senior centers, home-delivered meals, home repair, information and assistance, legal help, medical alert, medication management, transportation, and visiting. Call (225) 562-2305 to ask about services. For long-term care options, the Jefferson Council on Aging runs the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) for St. James Parish at (504) 888-5880.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in St. James Parish
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,600 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (St. James Parish Department of Human Resources) — St. James Parish
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home cooling and heating bills. St. James Parish Department of Human Resources in Lutcher takes applications for St. James 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 225-562-2305 to apply. Another listed line is 225-562-2316.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,600 a year
Healthcare in St. James Parish
Hospital Financial Assistance (St. James Parish Hospital) — St. James Parish
CountySt. James Parish Hospital in Lutcher has a Financial Counselor who can set up monthly payment plans and help determine if you qualify for financial assistance. Call 225-869-5512 and ask for the Financial Counselor.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in St. James Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Rural public transit (St. James Parish Transit) — St. James Parish
CountySt. James Parish Transit gives rides to the general public for school, work, medical visits and errands, Monday to Friday 4:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Rides are free: the parish no longer collects fares. Call (225) 562-2304.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving St. James 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.
St. James Area Agency on Aging, Department of Human Service
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (St. James Area Agency on Aging)
St. James Parish Government, Department of Human Resources
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (St. James Parish Department of Human Resources), Rural public transit (St. James Parish Transit)
St. James Parish Hospital
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (St. James Parish Hospital)
Louisiana and federal programs
Open to eligible households in St. James 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.