Assistance programs in St. Landry Parish.
A number of low income programs are offered in the region. If you need health care and assistance with medical bills, food, utility help, or government aid, then the leading non-profits and agencies to call in St. Landry Parish Louisiana are below. There is also free stuff, charities or churches in Opelousas that provide emergency financial help and other resources. All programs have limited funding available.
Department of Children & Family Services/St. Landry Parish – One of the main resources they provide is known as Economic Stability. It provides a number of low income and government programs to the needy in the community. This includes Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program, and more.
SNAP food stamps provide monthly vouchers and cash benefits that may be used to help low income households buy items such as groceries, meals, food, and other items that are needed for nutrition.
Kinship subsidy program – This St. Landry Parish resource may be able to offer cash assistance and grants for eligible children who reside with qualified relatives other than their parents. So children who live with aunts, uncles, or grandparent may receive help.
Child care - Financial assistance may be offered to parents to help pay for the day care and child care bills they have so that the parent can attend job training or school.
Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) – May be able to offer temporary cash assistance to lower income families in need of help in St. Landry Parish. One component of this program is known as Strategies to Empower People Program, or STEP. This can assist recipients of FITAP with addressing needs such as job training, educational, and work related activities. All of these programs are designed to lead to self-sufficiency and employment.
The Department of Children & Family Services is located at 6069I-49 Service Rd., Suite A, Opelousas, Louisiana 70570. Call (337) 942-0121 to apply or for more information. Additional satellite offices are at the addresses below. Or find more Louisiana public assistance.
- 300 E. First St., Crowley,, LA 70527-1060, call (337) 788-7540
- 705 Bayard St., New Iberia, Louisiana 70560-5738, (337) 373-0060
- 825 Kaliste Saloom Rd., Bldg VI, Suite 100, Lafayette, LA 70508-4235, (337) 262-5111
- 6069 I-49 Service Rd., Suite A, Opelousas, Louisiana, call (337) 942-0121
St. Landry Community Action is another of the leading non-profit agencies to call for help. Some assistance they administer on their own, but more than likely a worker will provide you with referrals, and maybe even help you apply for financial or government assistance.
Utility bill assistance is provided for the elderly from Project Care. This will provide seniors and people over 60 years of age with some money to pay their utility and cooling bills. Usually up to $50 is paid out to qualified individuals. Only one time cash assistance is offered.
Additional utility assistance can be provided from the low income energy assistance program, or LIHEAP. This is mostly for winter heating, and to a lesser extent summer cooling bills. Money is paid directly to your utility company. Continue with LIHEAP information.
Transportation Assistance – Is only offered for a limited number of reasons. Low income and seniors in St. Landry Parish can receive transportation to and from doctor appointment, dentists, mental health sessions, classes, grocery shopping and job training. This program is very limited in nature.
Weatherization can help people save money. Low income residents can receive free upgrades to help them reduce the costs of heating and cooling their homes. Seniors and people with children are given priority.
Prescriptions – Work with a case manager to complete an application for free or low cost medications that may be offered by pharmaceutical companies.
Medicaid enrollment – Applications are processed for qualified disabled, women, children, and local senior citizens. Community Action also runs a health care and emergency medical program, which offers assistance with paying for doctor visits and prescriptions.
Foreclosure and HUD certified counseling – Services are offered for free or low cost. Get assistance and free advice in dealing with areas of default mortgage, Pre and Post home purchasing, credit repair, home maintenance and budget development. More.
Federal Aid from FEMA – This assistance program can help with paying due rent, gas, light, water bills, or rent/mortgage payments. Payments will be made to vendors on behalf of eligible participants.
Food – Provides from referrals to St. Landry food pantries, churches, and distribution centers. An emergency program also operates in crisis situations.
Free legal aid and counseling – Get referrals for civil legal matters. Some of what can be addressed includes job counseling, general welfare benefits, and other domestic matters.
The community action agency is located at 1065 Hwy 749, Suite E, Opelousas, Louisiana 70570. Main number is (337) 948-3651
Council on Aging in St. Landry Parish – Offers qualified seniors with transportation services, free congregate meals, home delivered meals from Meals on Wheels, referral, outreach, homemaker, PCAs and a senior center. Sometimes energy assistance or fans may be offered. Many resources also have a waiting list. Address is 2419 James Eaglin Lane, Opelousas, Louisiana 70570, call (337) 942-1938
St. Thomas More Church and St. Vincent de Paul Society is only for parish members. The church is located at 1011 Sittig St., Eunice, Louisiana 70535. Only church members can dial (337) 457-8107. You need to go through an application/interview process and be truly in need. Financial assistance can help pay rent, utilities, and maybe even prescription drugs. Any aid provided is contingent on the limited funding that is available. More on St. Landry Parish SVDP assistance programs.
Christian Care and Share Center – While funding is limited, when they have money can help with clothes, food and groceries, and other emergency needs such as rent or energy bills. Some household goods may also be distributed. Call (337) 363-8041. Donations are welcome too.
Eunice Food Bank – The center can distribute food to families every other month. Up to 6 days of food may be provided to those who qualify. In addition, the food bank will also hold annual food drives for the needy in Eunice in order to raise groceries and items from members of the community. A Thrift Store is on site and it has less cost clothes and small appliances. 1120 Fairgrounds St., Eunice, Louisiana 70535, dial (337) 457-7541. Find out more about Louisiana food banks.
ICONS, Inc. – Both budgeting assistance and a food bank is offered for low income families in the community. (337) 594-8845
Lebeau Community Center – This is part of the national non-profit known as 2nd Harvest Food Bank. Meals, groceries, and free food is offered. 103 Lebeau Church Rd., Lebeau, LA 71345, telephone (337) 623-4333
Northside Church of Christ is another member of second harvest. Dial the Opelousas Louisiana agency at (337) 948-3535.
Opelousas Salvation Army provides social services and emergency aid. While resources are limited, and the demand is high, the location may have items such as free food or grants for energy bills, housing or rent. A big focus is on self-sufficiency and employment programs as well. Case managers from the Salvation Army are committed to helping the working poor and senior citizens in the St. Landry Parish region. Additional support may be provided for children. Click here.
St. Landry Parish Health Unit is a local free or low cost community clinic. A wide variety of services are offered to the low income and uninsured, and they are listed below.
- Full KidMed – Health care and medical services are provided in Child Health Clinics, including dental case assessments.
- Child Health/WIC Services – Programs for children and babies are offered. For example, it can provide regular nursing exams for well babies including checkups. Part of this program will be WIC vouchers, which can be provided as a supplement to purchase some foods and groceries for your child.
- STD Clinic – Provides testing and treatment for STDs from doctors and other medical professionals. A small fee is asked for, but people will not be turned away from receiving help if they can’t afford that fee or their bills.
- Maternity Services: includes both nursing and medical services for the pregnant woman. If needed, or a more serious medical condition arises, then receive Referrals for problems. All services are free of charge.
- Immunization for adults and children, including flu and pneumonia vaccine in season. A small, minimal $5 fee may be asked for.
The St. Landry and Opelousas health center has several locations, including 308 W. Bloch St., Opelousas, Louisiana 70570, phone (337) 948-0220. Other clinics are in Melville and Eunice. The address is 131 City Ave Eunice, LA 70535, call (337) 457-2767.
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