Ascension Parish

Local offices in Ascension Parish

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• State office

  Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Ascension Parish Office

  1078 E Worthey Rd, 2nd Floor, Gonzales, LA 70707

  Help here

  • SNAP and SNAP Works assistanceResidents can contact the parish office for help with SNAP and SNAP Works benefits.Apply online
  Call 877-752-3237DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dcfs.la.gov

• Public health · County office

  Ascension Parish Health Unit

  1024 S.E. Ascension Complex Blvd, Gonzales, LA 70737

  Help here

  • Health care and WICThe health unit offers primary care, immunizations, Medicaid application help, and WIC services.
  Call 225-450-1006DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ascensionparish.net

• Mental health and recovery · County office

  Ascension Counseling Center

  Help here

  • Mental health and substance use treatmentResidents can get mental health counseling, psychiatric evaluation, and substance use treatment.
  Call 225-743-2445Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ascensionparish.net

• Older adults · Regional office

  Capital Area Agency on Aging

  2051 Silverside Dr, Suite 208, Baton Rouge, LA 70808

  Help here

  • Aging and disability resource assistanceOlder adults and people with disabilities can get information, referrals, legal help, and other support.
  Call 225-925-7674DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on goea.louisiana.gov

• Veterans · State office

  Ascension Parish Veterans Service Office

  828 South Irma Boulevard, Gonzales, LA 70737

  Help here

  • Veterans benefits assistanceVeterans and their families can get help with veterans benefits and related services.
  Call 225-644-7475DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on vetaffairs.la.gov

• Emergency help · County office

  Ascension Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness

  Help here

  • Emergency preparedness and disaster assistanceThe office provides emergency information and coordinates disaster preparedness, response, and recovery services.
  Call 225-450-1200Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ascensionparish.net

• Local office · Regional office

  Louisiana 211

  Help here

  • Community resource referralsCall 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211 to find local help and services.
  Website

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on louisiana211.org

• Library · County office

  Ascension Parish Library

  Help here

  • Library servicesResidents can get a library card, borrow print and digital materials, use research resources, and access computers and learning tools.Apply onlineRead more
  Call 225-647-8924Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on myapl.org

Ascension Parish Government website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Food near you

Food pantries and free meals in Ascension Parish, closest to the center of Gonzales first. Hours change, so call first when you can.

• Free meals

  Grace & Greens: Community Meal

  Okra Abbey

  51 miles from the center of Gonzales

  1800 Monroe Street, New Orleans, LA 70118

  Hours

  • Wed12 PM to 1 PM

  Who can come: All neighbors

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on okraabbey.com, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free meals

  St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church

  51 miles from the center of Gonzales

  7100 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118

  Hours

  Hours not listed. Call first.

  Second and Fourth Saturdays of every month. Lunch served at 12:00 PM.

  Who can come: Anyone

  What to bring: No ID, paperwork, or religious requirement.

  Call 504-861-9514DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on stcharlesave.church, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free meals

  Ozanam Inn

  53 miles from the center of Gonzales

  2239 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70119

  Hours

  • Mon9 AM to 9:30 AM. Snacks; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
  • Tue9 AM to 9:30 AM. Snacks; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
  • Wed9 AM to 9:30 AM. Snacks; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
  • Thu9 AM to 9:30 AM. Snacks; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
  • Fri9 AM to 9:30 AM. Snacks; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch

  Who can come: Anyone

  Call 504-523-1184DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on nola.gov, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free meals

  Crescent City Cafe

  53 miles from the center of Gonzales

  3900 Saint Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70115

  Hours

  • Sat8 AM to 9:30 AM (1st and 3rd of the month)

  Who can come: Anyone in need

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on crescentcitycafe.com, checked on October 9, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Ascension Parish

Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.

Job help near Ascension Parish

American Job Centers are free. They help you look for work, write a resume, find training and apply for unemployment benefits. You can ask for an interpreter.

• American Job Center · Affiliate center

  Ascension American Job Center

  Also helps young people

  1.1 miles away

  1060 E. Worthy Street, Gonzales, LA 70737

  Hours: Mon-Wed.,Fri 8:00 am -4:00 pm Thurs 8:00 am- 2:00pm

  Call 985-902-4200DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on September 9, 2026

• Youth program

  Quad Area Community Action Agency, Inc. - Ascension Parish

  1.7 miles away

  717 East Ascension, Ste E., Gonzales, LA 70737

  Call 225-644-8532DirectionsWebsite

Job center and program listings from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Checked on October 10, 2026.

Cities and towns in Ascension Parish

• Donaldsonville
• Gonzales
• Sorrento

Louisiana programs by kind of help

These are run by Louisiana and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.

• FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
• HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
• HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
• MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
• CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
• EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
• WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
• Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
• SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.

Checked on October 8, 2026

Federal help anyone can use

These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Social Security retirement benefits

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Medicare

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.

  Call 1-800-633-4227
• Extra Help with Medicare drug costs

  Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• VA health care

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.

  Call 1-877-222-8387
• VA disability compensation and benefits

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.

  Call 1-800-827-1000
• FAFSA, the federal student aid form

  U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.

  Call 1-800-433-3243
• Federal Pell Grant

  U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.

  Call 1-800-433-3243
• HealthCare.gov

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The federal marketplace for health insurance plans. Many people can get lower monthly costs based on their income.

  Call 1-800-318-2596
• Lifeline phone and internet discount

  Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.

  Call 1-800-234-9473
• Head Start and Early Head Start

  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.

  Call 1-866-763-6481
• IRS Free File

  Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.

• VITA and TCE free tax help

  Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.

  Call 1-800-906-9887
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

  Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.

  Call 1-800-829-1040
• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.

• Replace a Social Security card

  Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• FEMA disaster assistance

  Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.

  Call 1-800-621-3362

Checked on October 9, 2026