Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Louisiana. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Utilities and phone
Louisiana's LIHEAP helps pay heating bills in winter and cooling bills in spring and summer, with crisis help all year if you get a shut-off notice.
The Louisiana Housing Corporation runs it through a local agency in each parish, and homes with someone 60 or older get an extra $100 and set times to apply.
| Yearly income limit, one person (2026 table on the LHC page) | $30,618 a year for one person (60% of estimated state median income) |
|---|---|
| Yearly income limit, two people (2026 table on the LHC page) | $40,039 a year for two people |
| Who pays the bill | You must be responsible for the home's energy bill and have an active heating or cooling utility account. You can get one LIHEAP benefit each season. |
| What to bring | Heating and cooling bills no older than 30 days, pay stubs from the last 30 days, proof of Social Security, pension or other income, proof of address, the applicant's photo ID, and Social Security cards for everyone in the home. Bring any shut-off notice for crisis help. |
| Heating or cooling benefit (FY 2026 state plan; 2026–27 amounts not posted) | $200 to $800, based on your energy costs compared with your income and household size Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 3) |
|---|---|
| Extra amount for older adults | Homes with someone 60 or older, a person with a disability, or a child 5 or younger get one extra $100 payment |
| Crisis help (FY 2026 state plan) | Up to $1,000 for homes with a disconnect or pending disconnect notice Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 3) |
| Heating season (latest dates on the LHC page; winter 2026–27 dates not confirmed) | Dec. 15 to March 31 |
|---|---|
| Cooling season (2026) | April 13 to Sept. 30, 2026, or until funds run out |
| Crisis help | Year-round (Oct. 1 to Sept. 30) |
| Set times for older adults | Local agencies must set aside a specific time or day each week for people 60 and older and people with disabilities to apply, and must offer a way for homebound people to apply |
Where Louisiana's rules differ from the federal rules for LIHEAP heating and cooling help.
Free help
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Louisiana. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
Newsletter
Benefit figures, deadlines and rules change every year. We'll tell you what changed and what to check, about twice a month.