Senior benefits in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana
Seniors living in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with healthcare, food, energy bills, housing costs, and daily living. The Vermilion Council on Aging, part of the Cajun Area Agency on Aging region, is a strong local starting point for finding services and support. Vermilion Public Transit offers transportation options for those who need help getting around the parish. Seniors who struggle with energy costs may qualify for LIHEAP energy assistance through St. Mary Community Action Agency, and those facing medical bills can look into financial assistance through Abbeville General Hospital. State programs like Louisiana Medicaid for people 65+, Medicare Savings Programs, Community Choices Waiver, and LaSHIP free Medicare counseling are also available here. Homeowners may benefit from the homestead exemption or the special assessment level property tax freeze. Federal programs add even more options for eligible residents. Each program listing below includes its official source and last verified date, and the agency administering each program 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
Vermilion Council on Aging (Cajun Area Agency on Aging region)
1-337-893-2563
See which of these Vermilion Parish programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Vermilion 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 Vermilion Parish
Run by the parish, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Vermilion Parish. Start here.
Elder Services in Vermilion Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Cajun Area Agency on Aging / Vermilion Council on Aging) — Vermilion Parish
CountyThe Vermilion Council on Aging serves older adults in Vermilion Parish as part of the Cajun Area Agency on Aging network. Services include congregate meals, home-delivered meals, homemaker help, in-home respite for caregivers, legal assistance, the long-term care ombudsman, recreation, telephone check-ins, transportation, home visits, and wellness programs. The office is at 1928 Graceland Avenue, Abbeville. Call 337-893-2563 to ask about services. For Medicare Part D enrollment help, call the Cajun Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-738-2256.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Vermilion Parish
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,600 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (St. Mary Community Action Agency) — Vermilion Parish
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home heating and cooling bills. In Vermilion Parish, the Louisiana Housing Corporation lists St. Mary Community Action Agency as the local LIHEAP provider. Crisis help is available if a household has a disconnect or pending disconnection notice. Call 337-893-2528 to apply.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,600 a year
Healthcare in Vermilion Parish
Hospital Financial Assistance (Abbeville General Hospital) — Vermilion Parish
CountyAbbeville General Hospital in Abbeville says no one will be denied access to services due to inability to pay. It has a discounted sliding fee schedule based on family size and income (also called uncompensated care), and it is a Certified Medicaid Application Center. Call (337) 898-6593 to apply for financial assistance, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Vermilion Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public transit (Vermilion Public Transit) — Vermilion Parish
CountyVermilion Public Transit gives demand-response rides to the general public in Vermilion Parish. Service runs 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Friday. Trips outside city limits have a flat rate by destination, about 67 cents a mile. Call (337) 893-0045.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Vermilion 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.
Vermilion Council on Aging (Cajun Area Agency on Aging region)
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Cajun Area Agency on Aging / Vermilion Council on Aging)
St. Mary Community Action Agency
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (St. Mary Community Action Agency)
Abbeville General Hospital
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Abbeville General Hospital)
St. Mary-Vermilion Community Action Agency (Vermilion Public Transit)
Louisiana and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Vermilion 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.