Assistance Programs in Washington, Livingston, East Feliciana, and St. Helena Parishes, Louisiana
This page covers four rural Louisiana parishes in the region southeast of Baton Rouge. None of the four is heavily populated, and none has an abundance of local nonprofits — which is why they share a page. If you live in Franklinton, Bogalusa, Denham Springs, Clinton, or Greensburg, the resources here are the main ones available to you locally. Quad Area Community Action Agency is the anchor organization across all four parishes, with offices in each one. A handful of regional charities, health clinics, and senior services round out what’s available. For everything else, the statewide 2-1-1 line connects you to a live operator who knows Louisiana’s full network.
Quad Area CAA is always the right first call for utility help, LIHEAP energy assistance, and weatherization. Catholic Charities Diocese of Baton Rouge covers Livingston, East Feliciana, and St. Helena for emergency financial assistance and housing counseling. RKM Primary Care operates Federally Qualified Health Centers in both Clinton (East Feliciana) and Livingston, offering medical, dental, and behavioral health services on a sliding-fee scale regardless of insurance. The Salvation Army provides emergency help for residents in the Livingston Parish and greater Baton Rouge area.
- About this combined page: These four parishes border or sit near each other in southeast Louisiana. Livingston Parish (Denham Springs, Walker) is the most populated and is east of Baton Rouge. East Feliciana Parish (Clinton, Jackson) is directly north of East Baton Rouge. St. Helena Parish (Greensburg) is a small, rural parish northeast of East Feliciana. Washington Parish (Franklinton, Bogalusa) is in the far northeast corner of this region, near the Mississippi border. When searching for help, look first at what’s in your own parish, then at regional resources that cover all four.
Quick Reference — Start Here
- Quad Area CAA (LIHEAP energy bill help, weatherization, emergency food and shelter, Head Start, job training): Call your parish office — Livingston (225) 686-3811 • East Feliciana (225) 683-3308 • St. Helena (225) 222-6100 • Washington (985) 795-9088. No fees for any Quad Area services.
- Government benefits — SNAP food stamps, Medicaid, cash assistance (all parishes): 1-888-LA-HELP-U (1-888-524-3578)
- Salvation Army (emergency help with rent, utilities, and food; holiday programs for families — Livingston area): (225) 355-4483
- Catholic Charities (emergency financial aid, housing counseling, disaster help — serves Livingston, East Feliciana, and St. Helena): Diocese of Baton Rouge, (225) 336-8708. Washington Parish residents contact the Archdiocese of New Orleans instead: (504) 523-3755.
- RKM Primary Care (medical, dental, and behavioral health on a sliding fee scale — no one turned away regardless of insurance): Livingston clinic (225) 283-1356 • Clinton clinic (225) 683-5292
- Livingston Council on Aging (free services for residents 60+ — home-delivered meals, transportation, caregiver support, referrals): (225) 664-9343
- East Feliciana Council on Aging (free services for residents 60+ — congregate meals in Clinton and Jackson, referrals): (225) 683-9862
- 2-1-1: Dial 2-1-1 for live referrals to local programs — free, around the clock, and especially valuable in rural parishes where local resources are limited.
More resources beyond this page:
Regional Resources All Four Parishes
The organizations in this section either operate offices in multiple parishes or take calls and applicants from across the four-parish area. These are the widest-reaching resources available locally.
Quad Area Community Action Agency
Quad Area is the federally designated Community Action Agency for these four parishes and several others in southeast Louisiana. It is the single most comprehensive source of direct financial assistance and program referrals in this region, and it has offices in all four of our parishes. Residents pay nothing for Quad Area services. Programs available through Quad Area include:
- LIHEAP energy assistance: Federally funded help with electric, gas, and home cooling and heating bills. Covers all four parishes. Call the office closest to you to apply.
- Weatherization: Free home improvements to reduce energy costs — insulation, window and door sealing, heating equipment upgrades. Available across all 19 parishes in Quad Area’s territory, including all four covered here.
- EF&S Emergency Food and Shelter: Short-term emergency help with rent, utilities, and food for families in crisis. Availability varies by parish and funding cycle; call your local office to ask.
- Head Start / Early Head Start: Free early childhood education and family support for income-qualifying families with young children. Head Start sites are currently operating in East Feliciana Parish (Clinton and Jackson). Contact the East Feliciana office to inquire about other parish availability.
- YouthBuild: A pre-apprenticeship job training and education program for out-of-school and unemployed young adults ages 16 to 24. Call the main Hammond office to learn more: (225) 567-2350.
- STEP transportation: Medical transportation to appointments in East Feliciana Parish. Requires a Department of Social Services referral.
- Information and referral: Even if Quad Area can’t help directly, staff can refer you to other public assistance programs, government benefits, and local nonprofits.
Call the office in your parish: Contact: http://www.quadarea.org/, with offices below.
East Feliciana Parish: (225) 683-3308 | 12221 Jackson St., Clinton, LA 70722
St. Helena Parish: (225) 222-6100 | 369 Sitman Street, Greensburg, LA 70441
Livingston Parish: (225) 686-3811 | 20140 Iowa St., Livingston, LA 70726
Washington Parish: (985) 795-9088 | 1134 Bene St., Suite 3, Franklinton, LA 70438
The Salvation Army Livingston area
The Salvation Army social services unit covering Livingston Parish and the greater Baton Rouge region can help with emergency utility bills, rent crises, food, and clothing when funding allows. Call to ask whether assistance is currently available and whether your parish is within their current service area. The organization also runs holiday programs for children and families, including toy drives and Christmas assistance.
For Washington Parish residents in Bogalusa or Franklinton, the Salvation Army coverage may be through a different regional office — call 2-1-1 to confirm which office serves your area. Call (225) 355-4483
Catholic Charities Diocese of Baton Rouge Livingston, East Feliciana, St. Helena
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge serves Livingston, East Feliciana, and St. Helena parishes (and nine other parishes in the diocese). This is a separate organization from the Catholic Charities serving Washington Parish (see below). Services for the three parishes covered here include emergency financial assistance for families in crisis, disaster relief, housing counseling, refugee and immigration services, and transitional housing programs. Services are available to people of all faiths.
Contact: The main office is in Baton Rouge. Residents of these three parishes should call to ask about current program availability in their area, as some services require an appointment. (225) 336-8708 | 1900 South Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA 70808. https://www.ccdiobr.org/
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans (CCANO) Washington Parish only
Washington Parish falls within the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and its Catholic Charities organization — CCANO — is entirely separate from the Diocese of Baton Rouge Catholic Charities above. If you live in Franklinton, Bogalusa, or anywhere in Washington Parish and want Catholic Charities assistance, this is the organization to contact. CCANO provides emergency financial help, food programs, immigration services, and social services to residents regardless of religion. Call to ask about the nearest local service point and what’s currently available in Washington Parish. Contact: (504) 523-3755. https://www.ccano.org/
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul — Baton Rouge & Region
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul has active councils in the Baton Rouge area that sometimes extend assistance to residents of Livingston and neighboring parishes. Services include emergency help with food, utility bills, housing, and medication costs. Call to ask whether your parish is currently in their service area and what assistance is available. Contact: (225) 383-7837
Livingston Parish Denham Springs | Walker | Livingston | Springfield
Livingston Parish is the most populous of the four covered here, with Denham Springs as its largest city. In addition to the regional resources listed above, these organizations are specifically rooted in Livingston Parish.
Livingston Council on Aging
The Livingston Council on Aging has served parish seniors since the late 1960s and is the designated area agency on aging for Livingston Parish. All programs are free and available to residents aged 60 and older and their caregivers. If you are an older adult in Livingston Parish struggling with transportation, isolation, or daily needs, this is where to start.
Programs include Meals on Wheels (home-delivered meals), congregate lunch sites at four locations across the parish, transportation assistance to appointments, caregiver support, and referrals to other services. Call before visiting to confirm current enrollment status for any specific program. Contact: (225) 664-9343 | 949 Government Drive, Denham Springs, LA 70726
CommUnity Hands Food Pantry formerly Emergency Food Pantry of Livingston Parish
This food pantry — now operating as CommUnity Hands, supported by First United Methodist Church of Denham Springs and several other area congregations — provides food to Livingston Parish households in need. The pantry operates on select weekday mornings. Bring a photo ID and proof of Livingston Parish residency (a utility bill or piece of mail works). Each household may receive assistance once every 30 days.
The pantry is located behind the church building, with entry off 3rd Street. Call ahead to confirm current schedule and to make sure supply is available. Contact: (225) 665-0855 | 316 Centerville Street NW, Denham Springs, LA 70726. https://communityhandsfoodpantry.org/
RKM Primary Care — Livingston
RKM Primary Care is a network of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) — meaning they accept patients regardless of insurance status and charge on a sliding fee scale based on income. No one is turned away for inability to pay. The Livingston clinic opened after the old version of this page was written and is a significant addition for Livingston Parish residents who lack insurance or cannot afford private care.
Services at the Livingston location include primary care for all ages, dental care (preventive and restorative), behavioral health and mental health counseling, substance use disorder services, women’s health and OB care, pediatrics, chronic disease management, immunizations, telehealth, 340B discounted medications, in-house pharmacy, and free patient transportation. Medicaid enrollment assistance is available on site.
Contact: (225) 283-1356 | 28315 S. Frost Road, Livingston, LA 70754. https://www.rkmcare.org/livingston
East Feliciana Parish Clinton | Jackson | Slaughter | Norwood
East Feliciana Parish is a small, rural parish with the town of Clinton as its seat. Resources here are limited but include two solid anchor organizations — RKM Primary Care (a full-service health center) and the Woodland Community Center for food and basic needs.
East Feliciana Council on Aging
The East Feliciana Council on Aging operates the parish’s senior center in Clinton and a meal site in Jackson for residents aged 60 and older. If you or a family member is an older adult in East Feliciana Parish who needs meal delivery, transportation, or information on other local services, this is where to begin.
The Clinton Senior Center provides congregate meals and social programming. The Jackson meal site serves residents in the northern part of the parish. Call to confirm which services are currently active and to enroll. Contact: (225) 683-9862 | 11102 Bank Street, Clinton, LA 70722
Woodland Community Center Est. 1985
Woodland Community Center has operated in East Feliciana Parish since 1985, providing food assistance and basic needs support to low-income residents. The center is located on Rouchon Lane outside Clinton and operates a food pantry as its primary service. Call ahead to confirm current distribution schedule and any documentation requirements before visiting. Contact: (225) 683-3110 | 10600 Rouchon Lane, Clinton, LA 70722
RKM Primary Care — Clinton
The RKM Clinton clinic is a Federally Qualified Health Center that has grown significantly from what the old version of this page described. It now offers a wide array of services including primary care for all ages, dental care, behavioral health and mental health counseling, substance use disorder treatment, women’s health, OB care up to 24 weeks, pediatrics, chronic disease management, 340B discounted medications, telehealth, free patient transportation, immunizations, lab work, and Medicaid enrollment help. A sliding fee scale is applied based on income — no one is turned away.
A second RKM location serves the Clinton Middle School and is available for enrolled students in Clinton, Jackson, and Slaughter through a school-based behavioral health program. The main clinic on Jackson Street is open to the general public. Contact: 225) 683-5292 | 11990 Jackson Street, Clinton, LA 70722. https://www.rkmcare.org/clinton
Washington Parish Franklinton | Bogalusa | Varnado | Angie
Washington Parish is geographically separated from the other three parishes on this page — it is further north and east, near the Mississippi state line. Residents have access to the Quad Area office in Franklinton as well as the Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans (listed in the regional section above, as it covers Washington Parish exclusively among our four parishes). Bogalusa is the largest city.
Quad Area — Washington Parish Office
The Quad Area office in Franklinton is the primary local point of contact for Washington Parish residents seeking LIHEAP energy assistance, weatherization, and emergency financial programs. See the full Quad Area listing in the regional section above for the complete list of programs available. Call this number for Washington Parish inquiries specifically. Contact: (985) 795-9088 | 1134 Bene Street, Suite 3, Franklinton, LA 70438
Government Benefits All Parishes — SNAP | Medicaid | DCFS
Louisiana Government Benefits — SNAP, Medicaid, Cash Assistance
Louisiana residents in all four parishes apply for SNAP food stamps, Medicaid, and cash assistance through the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). As of October 2025, Louisiana reorganized several programs under a “One Door” initiative, so the fastest way to reach the right office is through the statewide toll-free number. Staff can take applications by phone for SNAP and Medicaid, or you can apply online. Each parish has a local DCFS office that handles child welfare and in-person services:
- Livingston Parish: 28446 Charley Watts Road, Livingston, LA 70754 — (225) 686-7257
- East Feliciana Parish: 12476 Feliciana Drive, Clinton, LA 70722 — call 1-888-LA-HELP-U
- Washington and St. Helena parishes: Call 1-888-LA-HELP-U for current local office locations
- Statewide benefits line: 1-888-LA-HELP-U (1-888-524-3578)
- Apply online or find local offices: https://dcfs.louisiana.gov/.
Louisiana Department of Health — Parish Health Units
Each parish has a Louisiana Department of Health unit that provides public health services including immunizations, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children nutrition benefits), family planning, and referrals. These are separate from DCFS. The Livingston Parish Health Unit is at 29261 Frost Road, Livingston, LA 70754, phone (225) 686-7017. For East Feliciana, St. Helena, and Washington parish health units, check the LDH directory or call 2-1-1. https://ldh.la.gov/ — search “parish health unit” for current locations
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