Money Assistance Louisiana – Help paying bills, rent, loans & more
Louisiana has the second highest poverty level rate according to Poverty USA. Some 19.8 percent of residents live in poverty and 27.7 percent of children are considered to be living in poverty. If you are having financial difficulties or are dealing with a financial emergency, learn about the different Louisiana state assistance programs below and get help with your bills today.
Below are multiple ways to get financial help in Louisiana. Services that include help paying bills, rent, food/groceries, personal loans, debt relief and as mentioned various government benefits and support agencies across New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport and all other cities in Louisiana.
Social Security Loans (SSI)
Many residents living in Louisiana collecting Social Security may qualify for more financial assistance through SSI. For those whose only income is Social Security and you are in need of a loan, there may be specialist lenders who will assist. Learn more about SSI and other social security loan options here.
Assistance with utilities: If you need help paying your utility bills, you can get help through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Residents can receive a discount or financial subsidy to help cover the cost of monthly utility bills. In addition, Entergy Louisiana can help residents find the right program like assistance for residents who have life-sustaining, electrically operated equipment, who may qualify for special payment arrangements.
Food Assistance: Louisiana residents can get help with food through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (food stamps). The program offers a monthly stipend for use on groceries. Pregnant women can get help through the Women, Infant and Children program which offers monthly checks for approved food items. Families may be able to get help with free or reduced breakfast and lunch for their children if they meet income standards. If you qualify for food stamps, you’ll automatically qualify for free breakfast/lunch through the school district, though you still must submit an application.
Personal Loan Help: Qualifying for a mainstream loan from a bank can be difficult if you are on a low income or have bad credit. Many borrowers turn to payday type loans because they are unaware of better options for them. There are actually specialty loans that need to be asked for from banks as well as other types of loans from non-profits in addition to government benefits. Learn about these different loan or lending products here.
Rent and Mortgage: If you need help paying your monthly rent or mortgage payment, you may qualify for subsidized housing through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Residents may get low-rent homes through Section 8 housing or apply for financial assistance to help cover the cost of rental deposits and monthly payments. You may be able to get help if you are concerned about losing your home through Unity. The program is designed to help prevent homelessness.
Medical Assistance: Residents who need help covering their medical expenses can get help through the state Medicaid program which offers free medical insurance to low-income families and handicapped individuals. If you don’t qualify for Medicaid (which is based on income), your children may still be eligible for low-cost insurance coverage through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Residents can also take advantage of income-based clinics.
Educational Assistance: Potential students can get help covering their college tuition and books through the Federal Pell Grant Program. The program provides free grants to low-income families. Funds are distributed on a semester basis and require that students attend full-time. Students can get access to loans, grants and other financial information through the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance. In addition, parents with small children can get help with early education through the Head Start Program which helps at risk students get an early start in school.
Community Action Centers: If you need additional help with accessing public services or finding work you can find assistance at a local community action center. The Louisiana Community Action Agency helps low-income families find assistance. In addition, they can help you apply for help in emergency situations and they also offer education and employment services to help individuals become self-sufficient.
Charities: Even though Louisiana has a very high poverty rate, it ranks as the 45th most giving state. With people and charities willing to offer a lending hand, there are many resources available to those in need including Catholic Charities, Daughters of Charity, and Community Health Charities. Learn about more charities at the Office of the Attorney General.
Learn more about free items and other money assistance services in Louisiana, including: Free clothes, furniture, car, school accessories, help with fines, seasonal items & more!
The below services are in general and may not be available in Louisiana. However, if not available, many may have partnerships with other organizations through out the state that they can connect you with.
Free Hotel or Motel Vouchers for the Homeless or Emergencies
Those experiencing hardship and are without a roof over their head can access different types of short and possibly longer term accommodation throughout Louisiana. Learn more about accommodation assistance in here.
Dealing with tickets or fines
If you have unpaid tickers or fines, avoiding them will only create further financial and credit problems. Learn about ways to get assistance with dealing with fines in Louisiana, from requesting a waiver or challenging inaccurate fines. Get the information you need to tackle fines here.
How to get a free laptop or computer
Low income families have a range of organizations that provide free technology assistance such as computers and laptops throughout the country including Louisiana. Learn about what free computers and laptop organizations are near you and how to apply here.
Getting a free or low cost car
At any given time there are different organizations that assist low income earners with transportation. Across the country and in Louisiana there are different services that assist people with getting a vehicle. Learn more about free cars, how to get one and where to apply.
How to get free gas for emergencies
Gas prices in Louisiana like most of the country are extremely high. This can put serious strain on the family budget. For those dealing with cashflow issues and finding it hard to put fuel in the car, there is help. Learn how to get free gas for emergencies through free gas vouchers.
