Lake Charles
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Local offices in Lake Charles
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
State office
Louisiana Department of Health, Economic Stability Office
2133 Oak Park Boulevard, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Help here
- SNAP application assistanceGet help with a SNAP application or ask for information about the program.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ldh.la.gov
Housing help · City office
Community Development Division
Help here
- Housing rehabilitation and down payment assistanceAsk about home repair or down payment help for eligible residents.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityoflakecharles.com
Housing help · Regional office
Lake Charles Housing Authority
400 W. Hale Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Help here
- Public housing and housing choice vouchersContact the authority for information about public housing and Section 8 rental assistance.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on lcha004-housing.org
Utilities · City office
Water Business Office
1155 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Help here
- Water service and billingApply for water service, pay a water bill, or report a billing or service problem.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityoflakecharles.com
State office
Lake Charles Medicaid Office
620 Esplanade Street, Suite 201, Lake Charles, LA 70607
Help here
- Medicaid application assistanceGet help applying for Medicaid, renewing coverage, or updating information.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ldh.la.gov
Local office · City office
Mayor's Action Line
326 Pujo Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Help here
- City service requests and concernsContact the City about a service request or concern, and staff will direct it to the right department.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityoflakecharles.com
Jobs and training · State office
Louisiana Workforce Commission, Lake Charles Area Office
1028 Enterprise Boulevard, Lake Charles, LA 70602
Help here
- Employment and workforce servicesContact the area office for help finding employment and workforce services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on laworks.net
State office
Lake Charles Office of Motor Vehicles
951 Main Street, Lake Charles, LA 70615
Help here
- Driver licensing and motor vehicle servicesVisit the OMV for in-person driver license and motor vehicle services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on revenue.la.gov
Library · County office
Calcasieu Parish Public Library, Central Branch
301 West Claude Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605
Help here
- Library services and programsGet a library card, borrow books, use public computers, and join branch programs.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on calcasieulibrary.org
Parks and recreation · City office
Department of Recreation and Parks
326 Pujo Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Help here
- Recreation programs and community centersFind city sports, classes, senior activities, and community center programs.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityoflakecharles.com
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Lake Charles
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana
700 Edwards Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70123
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
Acadiana Legal Service Corporation
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Human Services Department
2001 Moeling Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Job help near Lake Charles
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
Calcasieu American Job Center
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
2.3 miles away
2424 3rd Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Thurs 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on October 9, 2026
Unemployment benefits in Louisiana
If you lost your job or your hours were cut, you may be able to get unemployment insurance. You apply with the state, and the state decides who qualifies.
Workforce board for this area
The workforce board plans the job and training programs here and funds the job centers. Go to a job center for help; call the board with questions about its programs.
Workforce board
Calcasieu Consortium Workforce Development Board
2424 3rd St, PO Box 1592 (70602), Lake Charles, LA 70601
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.
Offices for all of Calcasieu Parish
Lake Charles is in Calcasieu Parish. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Calcasieu Parish Human Services Department
2001 Moeling Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Help here
- Community services and economic supportAsk about local help with basic needs, utilities, and other support for eligible households.
- Community Services Block GrantThe department uses grant funds to support eligible services for people with low incomes.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on calcasieu.gov
Child support · State office
Calcasieu Parish Child Support Enforcement Office
3519 Patrick Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605
Help here
- Child support servicesParents can get help establishing parentage and setting up or enforcing child support orders.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dcfs.louisiana.gov
State office
Louisiana DCFS Calcasieu Parish Office
2133 Oak Park Boulevard, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Help here
- SNAP and other assistance informationResidents can get information about SNAP and other family assistance programs.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dcfs.la.gov
Housing help · County office
Calcasieu Parish Housing Department
2001 Moeling Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Help here
- Housing Choice Voucher ProgramEligible households can ask about rental assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher Program.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on calcasieu.gov
Public health · State office
Calcasieu-Lake Charles Health Unit
3236 Kirkman Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Help here
- Public health clinic servicesThe health unit offers services including immunizations, reproductive health, tuberculosis services, and vital records.
- WICEligible pregnant and postpartum people, infants, and children can apply for WIC nutrition support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ldh.la.gov
Local office · Regional office
Louisiana 211
Help here
- Information and referralsCall 211 for information about local and statewide services and resources.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on louisiana211.org
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
Talk to a person
- Louisiana 211 Statewide Network
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988