Free, plain-English help for seniors and families in Louisiana. Education, not advice. Verify before you rely on it.
Start here (works anywhere in Louisiana)
- 211 (dial 2-1-1), Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116, BenefitsCheckUp.org, Medicare 1-800-633-4227, Social Security 1-800-772-1213, VA 1-800-827-1000, Alzheimer's 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900, National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311, Crisis Lifeline 988
Free Medicare counseling (Louisiana SHIIP)
Louisiana's Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) is run by the Louisiana Department of Insurance. Counselors give free, unbiased one-on-one help with Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D drug plans, and Medigap. Call SHIIP toll-free at 1-800-259-5300 or visit ldi.la.gov/SHIIP. If you cannot get through, the national SHIP locator at shiphelp.org or 1-877-839-2675 routes you to a local counselor.
Medicaid in Louisiana
Louisiana's Medicaid program is delivered through Healthy Louisiana managed care plans. You can apply by phone, online, by mail, or in person. Call the Medicaid Customer Service Center for free help applying at 1-888-342-6207 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), or apply online at ldh.la.gov. For long-term care, home and community-based waivers, or nursing facility placement, call Louisiana Options in Long-Term Care at 1-877-456-1146.
Prescription help
Louisiana does not run a general state pharmaceutical assistance program (SPAP) for seniors. If drug costs are a burden, ask your SHIIP counselor (1-800-259-5300) to screen you for Medicare's Extra Help / Low-Income Subsidy, which lowers Part D costs, and check BenefitsCheckUp.org for patient-assistance and manufacturer programs.
Energy and utility help
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is administered by the Louisiana Housing Corporation and delivered through your local Community Action Agency. It can help with heating, cooling, and energy-crisis costs. Find your local agency at lhc.la.gov/energy-assistance, or dial 211. Eligible households generally have income at or below 60 percent of the state median. You can also reach the National Energy Assistance Referral line (NEAR) at 1-866-674-6327.
Property tax relief (Louisiana)
Louisiana homeowners get a standard Homestead Exemption that exempts the first $7,500 of assessed value (about $75,000 of market value) on a primary residence. Seniors can add the Special Assessment Level, often called the "senior freeze." To qualify you must be 65 or older, already have the homestead exemption, and have adjusted gross income at or below $100,000 for the 2026 tax year (this ceiling is adjusted for inflation each year, so confirm the current figure with your parish assessor). The Special Assessment Level freezes your home's assessed value at the level when you first qualified. It does not freeze the tax rate (millage), so your bill can still move if rates change. File Form 3101 with your parish Board of Review during the Open Rolls period, generally August 1 through September 15. Income limits and forms vary slightly by parish, so call your parish assessor's office to confirm.
Food, in-home help, caregiver, transportation, and legal help
The Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs (GOEA) is Louisiana's focal point for senior services and funds a statewide network of Area Agencies on Aging that handle meals, in-home help, caregiver support, and transportation. Reach GOEA at 1-877-340-9100 or 225-342-7100, or goea.louisiana.gov. To report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an adult 60 or older, call the Elderly Protective Services Hotline at 1-833-577-6532. For free legal help, the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) and 211 can connect you with local legal aid.
Frequently asked questions
What is Louisiana's SHIP program? It is called SHIIP, the Senior Health Insurance Information Program, run by the Louisiana Department of Insurance. It gives free Medicare counseling at 1-800-259-5300.
Does Louisiana offer senior property tax relief? Yes. Homeowners 65 and older who have the homestead exemption and adjusted gross income at or below $100,000 for 2026 can apply for the Special Assessment Level, which freezes their home's assessed value. File Form 3101 with the parish Board of Review during Open Rolls (about August 1 to September 15).
How do Louisiana seniors get help with energy bills? Apply for LIHEAP through your local Community Action Agency. Find it at lhc.la.gov/energy-assistance or by dialing 211.
Who do I call about senior services or elder abuse in Louisiana? The Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs at 1-877-340-9100 for services, and the Elderly Protective Services Hotline at 1-833-577-6532 to report abuse or exploitation.
Sources
- Louisiana Department of Insurance, Senior Health/SHIIP: https://www.ldi.la.gov/consumers/senior-health-shiip
- Healthy Louisiana / Louisiana Department of Health Medicaid: https://ldh.la.gov/healthy-louisiana
- Louisiana Housing Corporation, Energy Assistance: https://www.lhc.la.gov/energy-assistance
- St. Tammany Parish Assessor, Senior Freeze / Special Assessment Level: https://stpao.org/hrf_faq/qualify-senior-freeze/
- Jefferson Parish Assessor, Seniors / Special Assessment: https://www.jpassessor.net/Resources/SeniorsSpecialAssessment
- Ballotpedia, Louisiana 2026 income-limit amendment (pending Nov 2026 vote): https://ballotpedia.org/Louisiana_Raise_Income_Limit_to_$150,000_for_Special_Property_Tax_Assessment_Amendment_(2026)
- Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs: https://goea.louisiana.gov/
- Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Aging and Adult Services: https://ldh.la.gov/office-of-aging-and-adult-services
Verified June 9, 2026. Program limits and dates change; confirm with the official source before relying on a figure.