Community and Social Service Resources
Connecting to Resources
Medicaid programs are designed to provide essential health services to lower income individuals, children, and families who qualify for coverage.The Louisiana Medicaid Program is a federally funded program, which provides health coverage to Louisiana residents, within certain groups, based on income and resource limits set by Congress. Medicaid provides a complete package of medical coverage for those who qualify.
To be eligible for Louisiana Medicaid, you must be:
- a resident of the state of Louisiana
- a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident, or legal alien
- in need of health care/insurance assistance
- In a financial situation that would be characterized as low income or very low income.
Approval for medicaid typically occurs within 45 days. Coverage for healthcare can begin as early as three months before the month that you apply.” --Benefits.gov
For more information about Louisiana Medicaid eligibility and how to apply, visit https://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/220
For information about how to apply for Medicaid coverage in other states, visit
https://www.medicaid.gov/about-us/learn-how-apply-for-coverage/index.html
Iggy's Cupboard provides non-perishable food items, hygiene items, and other essentials to any member of Loyola's community in need. Iggy’s Cupboard is located in the Lower Level of the Danna Student Center and is operated by Student Life and Ministry (SLM) in partnership with the Student Government Association (SGA). The identity of any visitors of the cupboard are kept confidential by volunteers and workers. Due to COVID-19, access to the cupboard is available by appointment only. To schedule an appointment visit this link bit.ly/ShopIggys.
For more information about Iggy's Cupboard, please visit https://studentaffairs.loyno.edu/student-life-ministry/student-life/iggys-cupboard
SNAP stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. SNAP is a federal program that helps millions of low-income Americans put food on the table. Across the United States there are 9.5 million families with children on SNAP. It is the largest program working to fight hunger in America. SNAP provides timely, targeted and temporary benefits to people in need so that Americans have access to nutritious food. SNAP responds quickly to changes in our population, growing in response to increases in poverty and unemployment, and shrinking as the need is met and reduced. SNAP is administered by the states, which have considerable discretion to adapt the program to best meet the needs of their residents."-- Feedamerica.org
Once you become eligible for unemployment, you will automatically become eligible for SNAP. If you aren’t eligible for unemployment, you may still be eligible for SNAP. To apply and inquire (in the state of Louisiana) please visit the following link.
If you are out of state and need SNAP please visit the Department of Agriculture to find SNAP benefits in your home state.
Note: Students who have a $0 EFC or who are eligible for work study and meet all other standard eligibility criteria are now eligible for SNAP. For more information about the expansion and requirements, please see the attached flyer from DCFS.
"Unemployment Insurance is a joint state-federal program that provides cash benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. Each state administers a separate unemployment insurance program, but all states follow the same guidelines established by federal law. In general, benefits are based on a percentage of your earnings over a recent 52-week period, and each state sets a maximum amount. Benefits are subject to federal and most state income taxes and must be reported on your income tax return. You may choose to have the tax withheld from your payment."-- Department of Labor
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS)
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) provides free, civil legal aid to low-income people, with a stated mission of increasing access to justice and helping vulnerable people clear life’s legal hurdles. These services include issues pertaining to:
-Housing rights/eviction assistance
-Immigration
-Domestic violence
-Divorce
-Employment/unemployment
-Student loans
-Credit reports
-Disasters
-Access to medical care
-Access to education
-Low-income taxpayers
-Public benefits (food aid, families with children)
-Wills and successions
-And many other legal services
Services are free if qualified and case is accepted. Call or visit office to make an appointment. Evictions should come in without appointment ASAP.
Services all of Southeast Louisiana. Offices in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Covington, Gretna, Hammond, and Houma.
New Orleans Office:
1340 Poydras, Suite 600
New Orleans, LA 70112
Toll-Free: (877) 521-6242
Local: (504) 529-1000
Fax: (504) 596-2241
Conduct an initial screening and fill out an online application here
Additional contact information, service area, and office locations can be found here.
LouisianaLawHelp.org
LouisianaLawHelp.org is a free online guide to legal help and information from Louisiana’s nonprofit civil justice community. This a great place to start a search for free/low-cost legal aid or assistance with self-representation. Use this guide for the following:
-Learn about your legal issues
-Find free legal aid and pro bono programs
-Self-help videos, forms, and more
-Find Courthouses and Online Self-Help Centers
-LiveHelp, real-time chats to help you use the website
To access this resource, visit: https://louisianalawhelp.org/
Immigration Services and Legal Advocacy (ISLA)
Immigration Services and Legal Advocacy (ISLA) is a legal services organization that defends the rights of our immigrant communities and advocates for just and humane immigration policy.
For more info, visit: https://www.islaimmigration.org/
Email: apage@islaimmigration.org
Call: (504) 265-0416
Congress of Day Laborers/Congreso de Jornaleros
The Congress of Day Laborers is an organization of immigrant workers and families founded by the day laborers who helped rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. It is a hub for immigrants across the Southeast region and a leadership pipeline for hundreds of immigrant workers and families into public life and social movement participation.
For more info, visit: https://www.facebook.com/congresodejornaleros/
Email: raguilar@nowcrj.org
Antigravity Resource Guide
A 63-page community resource guide that was compiled with the intention of increasing public access to services that are free or low-cost in the New Orleans area. Most listings are for services located in Orleans & Jefferson parishes, although select state and nationwide services have also been included.
Organizations were specifically and intentionally asked about funding options for uninsured patients, the availability of Spanish translation services, and their ability to provide services for transgender and non-binary patients. Available transgender and non-binary services have been incorporated throughout and can also be found in a dedicated section of this guide.
Visit: https://antigravitymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-DEC-RG-for-view.pdf
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS)
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) provides free, civil legal aid to low-income people, with a stated mission of increasing access to justice and helping vulnerable people clear life’s legal hurdles. These services include issues pertaining to:
-Housing rights/eviction assistance
-Immigration
-Domestic violence
-Divorce
-Employment/unemployment
-Student loans
-Credit reports
-Disasters
-Access to medical care
-Access to education
-Low-income taxpayers
-Public benefits (food aid, families with children)
-Wills and successions
-And many other legal services
Services are free if qualified and case is accepted. Call or visit office to make an appointment. Evictions should come in without appointment ASAP.
Services all of Southeast Louisiana. Offices in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Covington, Gretna, Hammond, and Houma.
New Orleans Office:
1340 Poydras, Suite 600
New Orleans, LA 70112
Toll-Free: (877) 521-6242
Local: (504) 529-1000
Fax: (504) 596-2241
Conduct an initial screening and fill out an online application here
Additional contact information, service area, and office locations can be found here.
Basic Landlord-Tenant Law - LouisianaLawHelp.org
This is an online guide that answers frequently asked questions regarding tenant rights in Louisiana. The guide is intended to aid tenants in navigating various legal circumstances tenants face, such as: early lease cancellation, rent increases, flood and fire damage, how to read a lease, issues with neighbors, tenants’ right to privacy, eviction notices, deducting repairs from rent, and lease termination.
Visit: https://louisianalawhelp.org/issues/housing/basic-landlord-tenant-law
A Guide to Louisiana Landlord and Tenant Rights
This brochure answers common questions regarding landlord and tenant rights in Louisiana. Topics covered include: security deposits, lease terms, maintenance and repairs, eviction, termination of leases, and housing discrimination.
New Orleans Combined List of COVID-19 Resources: A LOT of good information about drive thru food pantries.
This is a resource guide from Loyola’s Department of Student Affairs to help students find off-campus housing and budget for off-campus life
Online Guide to Scholarships & Resources for LGBTQIA+ College Students -Explore scholarship awards, advocacy groups, and professional networks that are making college more affordable and inclusive for the LGBTQIA+ community