Senior benefits in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana
Seniors living in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday needs. The St. Tammany Council on Aging is a strong local starting point, offering services and connecting residents to help across the parish. Local options also include Hospital Financial Assistance through St. Tammany Health System, energy bill help through the LIHEAP energy assistance program administered by the St. Tammany Parish Community Action Agency, and transportation through Demand-response transit (STAR Transit / COAST) for those who need a ride to appointments or errands. At the state level, programs like Louisiana Medicaid, the Community Choices Waiver, Long-Term Personal Care Services, Medicare Savings Programs, and free Medicare counseling through LaSHIP may reduce costs and support independent living. Louisiana's Homestead exemption and Special assessment level freeze can also lower property tax bills for qualifying homeowners. On top of that, dozens of federal programs may apply. Each program listed on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, and the administering agency makes all final eligibility decisions.
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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. Tammany Council on Aging, Inc.
1-985-892-0377
See which of these St. Tammany Parish programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the St. Tammany 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. Tammany Parish
Run by the parish, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving St. Tammany Parish. Start here.
Elder Services in St. Tammany Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (St. Tammany Council on Aging) — St. Tammany Parish
CountyThe St. Tammany Council on Aging in Covington serves older adults in St. Tammany Parish. Services include meals at senior centers, home-delivered meals, homemaker and chore help, information and assistance, legal help, medical alert, medication management, transportation, utility assistance, and caregiver respite, sitter service and support groups. Call (985) 892-0377 to ask about services. The Capital Area Agency on Aging is the regional Area Agency on Aging for St. Tammany Parish and runs its Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), a place to start for long-term care options: call (225) 925-7674 or toll-free (800) 833-9883.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in St. Tammany Parish
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,600 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (St. Tammany Parish Community Action Agency) — St. Tammany Parish
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home cooling and heating bills. St. Tammany Parish Community Action Agency in Slidell takes applications for St. Tammany 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 985-646-2090 to apply.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,600 a year
Healthcare in St. Tammany Parish
Hospital Financial Assistance (St. Tammany Health System) — St. Tammany Parish
CountySt. Tammany Health System in Covington has a financial assistance policy. It offers free care (a 100% charity discount) for household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, an 80% discount up to 250%, and a 60% discount up to 300%. Elective services are not covered. Financial advisors will also screen you for state insurance. Call a financial advisor at 985-871-5656.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in St. Tammany Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Demand-response transit (STAR Transit / COAST) — St. Tammany Parish
CountySTAR Transit, run by the Council on Aging St. Tammany (COAST), gives curb-to-curb rides to all residents of St. Tammany Parish, Monday to Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call in to book; rides are first come, first served. Fares are $1.50 one way for up to 10 miles, $2.50 for 11 to 25 miles, and $4.00 for 26 miles or more. Riders age 60 and older ride free from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with COAST registration. Call 985-809-2989.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving St. Tammany 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. Tammany Council on Aging, Inc.
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (St. Tammany Council on Aging)
St. Tammany Parish Community Action Agency
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (St. Tammany Parish Community Action Agency)
St. Tammany Health System
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (St. Tammany Health System)
Louisiana and federal programs
Open to eligible households in St. Tammany 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.