Senior benefits in Vernon Parish, Louisiana
Seniors living in Vernon Parish, Louisiana may qualify for a wide range of benefit programs at the local, state, and federal level. The Vernon Council on Aging is a strong local starting point — it connects residents to services and coordinates Vernon Parish Public Transit, which provides rural transportation options for those who need a ride. Byrd Regional Hospital offers financial assistance for qualifying patients, and the Vernon Community Action Council administers LIHEAP energy assistance to help with utility costs. At the state level, programs such as Louisiana Medicaid for people 65+, the Community Choices Waiver, Long-Term Personal Care Services, and Medicare Savings Programs may help cover health and daily care needs. LaSHIP provides free Medicare counseling, and Louisiana also offers property tax relief through the homestead exemption and the special assessment level freeze. Federal programs add even more options for eligible residents. 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.
4
Local programs
10
Louisiana programs
25
Federal programs
16
Categories
Last verified · September 28, 2026
Local starting point
Vernon Council on Aging (Calcasieu Council on Aging region)
1-337-239-4361
See which of these Vernon Parish programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Vernon 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 Vernon Parish
Run by the parish, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Vernon Parish. Start here.
Elder Services in Vernon Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Calcasieu Council on Aging / Vernon Council on Aging) — Vernon Parish
CountyThe Vernon Council on Aging serves people age 60 and older in Vernon Parish. Services include meals at the senior center, home-delivered meals, homemaker and personal care help, in-home respite and sitter services for caregivers, legal help, material aid, telephone check-ins, transportation, recreation, and wellness programs. The office is at 200 North Third St., Leesville. Call 337-239-4361 to ask about services. For help finding long-term care and other services, the Calcasieu Council on Aging runs the Aging and Disability Resource Center for this area: call 337-474-2583.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Vernon Parish
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,600 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Vernon Community Action Council) — Vernon Parish
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home heating and cooling bills. In Vernon Parish, the Louisiana Housing Corporation lists Vernon Community Action Council as the local LIHEAP provider. Crisis help is available if a household has a disconnect or pending disconnection notice. Call 337-404-7710 to apply.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,600 a year
Healthcare in Vernon Parish
Hospital Financial Assistance (Byrd Regional Hospital) — Vernon Parish
CountyByrd Regional Hospital in Leesville says no one will be denied necessary medical care because of lack of insurance or inability to pay. Patients who cannot pay a bill may be eligible for financial assistance programs, and the hospital will help uninsured patients find and apply for federal or state programs. Uninsured patients may be asked for a deposit. Call the Financial Counselor at 337-239-5460 or 800-801-5090, extension 5460.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Vernon Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Rural public transit (Vernon Parish Public Transit) — Vernon Parish
CountyVernon Parish Public Transit, run by the Vernon Council on Aging, gives demand-response rides to people of all ages across Vernon Parish. Trips go to medical appointments, shopping, senior centers, and businesses. Rides run 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fares are $8.00 one way inside Leesville city limits and $16.00 one way outside; medical trips cost $25.00 to $450.00. Call 337-239-4361.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Vernon 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.
Vernon Council on Aging (Calcasieu Council on Aging region)
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Calcasieu Council on Aging / Vernon Council on Aging)
Vernon Community Action Council
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Vernon Community Action Council)
Byrd Regional Hospital
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Byrd Regional Hospital)
Vernon Council on Aging, Inc. (Vernon Parish Public Transit)
Louisiana and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Vernon 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.