Community action agency assistance programs in Louisiana

Find how to get help, including grants, education or employment services, from a Louisiana community action agency near you. Apply for

Community action agency housing and rental assistance in Louisiana

Community action agency assistance programs in Louisiana:

emergency hardship grants to pay for bills such as housing, electric or rent. Or get help with job training, free budgeting workshops, information on computers for adults or kids and more. Learn more on

community action association and services in Louisiana

Case management and referrals from community action agencies

Case managers will work with individuals to help them overcome any financial challenges they may be facing. Both short term grant money to pay bills and long term social services are arranged. However the focus is on helping low-income families, single parents and people in poverty gain new skills, find a job, get transportation such as a gas voucher or free car for work, and strive towards self-sufficiency.

While the demand for assistance is high, and resources are limited, some of what may be available in Louisiana from a Community Action Agency is as follows. Priority is often given to people on the verge of homelessness, or families with young children and senior citizens.

Community action agency housing and rental assistance in Louisiana: Many of the:

Grant programs to help pay bills and assistance for basic needs in Louisiana

Louisiana community action agencies are HUD-Approved Housing:

Counseling centers. Some centers can provide low cost or free housing and foreclosure counseling to homeowners as well as mortgage relief. Renters can receive information on eviction prevention services. Those consumers who are seeking financing, eviction prevention, or help with maintaining, renting, or buying a home should call a community action agency.

Staff are certified by the federal government and are trained by HUD to counsel those seeking stability and permanent housing. Affordable Housing Programs

, which can include low interest loans or grants, or offered by many agencies in partnership with the government. Locations will offer down payment assistance and maybe help with paying closing costs to first-time homebuyers.

Counselors will coordinate this process with other regional and state housing counseling and mortgage assistance programs to help qualified buyers become first-time homeowners. Many locations are also HUD certified organizations. Homeless assistance programs offer individuals the opportunity to make the transition out of poverty.

Case managers also provides social and maintenance assistance. Self-sufficiency and increased income are also key to ending homelessness, so individuals can receive training and other support. Locate homeless prevention and rehousing programs in Louisiana Transitional Housing for Veterans is provided.

This will offer them a place to stay while they work towards self-sufficiency, obtain employment, and find stabilization. The transitional housing units are important to providing veterans and their family’s time gain new skills or meaningful employment.

Financial counseling and free Louisiana community action credit services

Case management and referrals from community action agencies:

Most community action agencies offer some form of outreach and referral

. They provide information on availability of services offered by the government and other non-profit agencies in your immediate parish area. Get information on resources such as Welfare from the Department of Children and Family Services, SNAP (Food Stamps), Social Security, free Legal Aid and Community Services in Louisiana, and Employment opportunities.

When needed, referrals are made to low income qualified clients who are seeking assistance.

Career counseling and employment services

The referrals given from the community action agencies on public aid incorporate both state of Louisiana and federal government entitlement programs. A family faced with poverty will often benefit from both as they often need multiple sources of aid, and this is why the service can be arranged. Households of any income level can find information on public aid programs that may address their crisis.

Grant programs to help pay bills and assistance for basic needs in Louisiana: Emergency assistance and vouchers

can be provided from Louisiana community action grants that may be offered in partnership with agencies such as the United Way, FEMA, and LDOL. The programs can provide assistance on a one-time basis to working poor, unemployed, and other clients who have suffered a loss due in income to circumstances beyond their control.

There is also information on rent relief in Louisiana for the low-income

Community action case workers in Louisiana arrange utility bill relief . The non-profit either (1) directly provide financial help to pay electric or power bills or (2) help people find an apply for energy help, including payment plans, abatements, and more.

Learn more on power bill help in Louisiana Food for Families includes canned goods and food baskets for people and children in need. Many of these programs rely on donations from the community, so food drives are held during the year by many churches, pantries in Louisiana and non-profit agencies in order to help meet the demand for healthy and low cost assistance.

Sometimes this aid may be provided in the form of vouchers. Regardless, any support provided is intended for low-income families so they can maintain a balanced diet and this can go a long way to helping them reduce the risk of malnutrition.

Find a list of free, local food pantry programs Occasional free holiday programs

Louisiana community action free health and medical services

, such as Toys for Tots, may be coordinated. Agencies can work with the United State Marine Corps or Salvation Army in an effort to provide toys to children of families on public assistance.

These Christmas programs are especially important to single moms who might otherwise have to see their children do without toys, clothes, or gifts for Christmas. Many agency staff, volunteers, and charities donate goods and help ensure these are successful.

The: Summer Food Service Program offers nutrition and organized play to students and children during the summer months. This helps provide nutrition when students do not have access to free school breakfasts or lunches.

Louisiana Head Start is a federal government created program for preschool children, infants and their families and parents. This resource is only for those whose income falls at or below certain federal government income guidelines. The program also includes children who have been determined to have a disability, whether learning or physical.

The program is operated by a team of teachers and highly trained professionals. They will offer clients a wide variety of experiences and support. Head Start works with both the child and the family in order to provide a them with access to various educational activities and social services. The children can receive free medical and dental care, indoor activities, healthy nutritious meals and snacks, and more.

As indicated, services are also offered to meet the special needs of Louisiana children with disabilities.

The state provides children with support and activities that help them grow socially, mentally, emotionally and physically. Case managers and staff realize that the first and most important teachers of the children are their parents, so they need to participate and some assistance is targeted at them as well.

For example, Head Start staff can enroll parents in job training, or help them apply for public aid. Early Head Start

Locations of community action agencies in Louisiana near you

from community action is very similar. It provides comprehensive early childhood development, health care and family support services to children, but they need to be age 0-3. Support is also offered for pregnant women. This is done in order to enhance children’s physical, social, emotional and intellectual development.

The program also supports parents in fulfilling their parental roles and helps them move toward self-sufficiency. Community Services Block Grant

includes funds that are received by Louisiana from the federal government. The funds may be used to create and support other programs initiated by each and every community action agency.

Some of what may be offered includes homeless prevention (including rent help), employment services, food, and resources for children and seniors. However each center may use the grant for their own needs.

services help to provide energy bill savings to low income families. It can pay for insulation to sustain homes, insures houses against harsh weather conditions, and reduces the impact of higher fuel and utility costs on low-income families. Focus is on the elderly, children and handicapped in Louisiana.

Other activities that can be coordinated by your community action agency include weather stripping, installing insulation, caulking installing storm windows, and other critical improvements to conserve energy. The: LIHEAP Energy Assistance Program

can assist eligible families with paying their utility bills, including heating and air conditioning. People can apply at community action agencies. It will provide a onetime grant to households in Louisiana, and funds are used for regular bills. When a family is faced with a shut off or disconnection, then a crisis component is offered.

The big difference in the crisis component is that the funds or credits will be disbursed to the family in less time than regular LIHEAP.

Financial counseling and free Louisiana community action credit services: VITA, or the: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance , is a free tax preparation service in Louisiana that is offered in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service. Thousands of residents receive help in preparing and filing their income taxes every year.

Staff will ensure that people receive benefits that they are e