St Charles Parish Department of Community Service has rent help available

The St Charles Parish Department of Community Services provides a range of services and programs aimed at supporting the healthy development of young people and children, and at providing assistance to low-income families, the elderly, people experiencing disability and other disadvantaged groups in St Charles Parish.

The Department’s key aim is to enable these target groups to work towards economic independence in a sustainable manner.  The Department brings the people and organizations of the Parish together to work towards a common goal of positive change.

Programs offered by the Department of Community Services include:

  • Home Energy Assistance – A program to assist with utility bills, under the funding headings of Atmos, Energy and Share the Warmth.  Applications can be accepted every six months.
  • Emergency Assistance – Temporary aid for unemployed families during a crisis period; most often this takes the form of food, medicine, clothing and limited utility, rent and mortgage assistance.
  • H.O.M.E. – A home repair program for residents of the parish, for homeowners only
  • Weatherization = Limited minor energy-conservation repairs, for example sealing cracks, replacing windows and doors, weather stripping, insulation etc.
  • Emergency Food & Shelter Program – Utility bill and mortgage/rent assistance; available to those who are in imminent danger of eviction, or who have overdue notes for mortgage payments.
  • Summer Food Service – At two schools, the department provides free lunches for a six-week period during the summer.  The scheme is available to young people and disabled adults who attend a state-accredited local school.
  • Emergency Home Repair Program – Assistance for the elderly and single householders with families in carrying out emergency repairs.
  • LACHIP and Medicaid – Two programs aimed at assisting younger clients (less than 18 years of age) in completing applications for Medicaid eligibility, or for medical insurance.
  • SCP Prescription Assistance Cards – Assists eligible persons to obtain free or discounted medication directly from the product manufacturer.
  • Legal Aid – A space for residents to meet with lawyers from Legal Aid Inc., by appointment only.

Information and Referral Services are available where clients are ineligible for the services sought, or for where it is felt that additional aid from outside agencies might be appropriate.  The Department typically makes referrals to the Office of Family Services, Social Concerns, St. Charles Community Health Centre, Social Security, the Council on Aging, After Care, and to local churches and various Parish offices.

To schedule your appointment with a case manager, call 985-764-7944.