Orleans Parish
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Local offices in Orleans Parish
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Child support · State office
New Orleans Child Support Enforcement Office
2601 Tulane Avenue, 5th Floor, New Orleans, LA 70119
Help here
- Child support servicesParents can get help with child support cases and related services at the New Orleans office.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dcfs.louisiana.gov
Human services · City office
Office of Homeless Services and Strategy
1340 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70112
Help here
- Homelessness support and referralsThe office connects people experiencing homelessness with shelter, food, health care, and other local help.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nola.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Housing Authority of New Orleans
4100 Touro Street, New Orleans, LA 70122
Help here
- Public housing and housing choice vouchersResidents can get information and apply for affordable housing and housing choice vouchers when applications are open.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hano.org
Public health · City office
New Orleans Health Department
1300 Perdido Street, Suite 8E18, New Orleans, LA 70112
Help here
- WIC at Edna Pilsbury Health ClinicThe clinic offers WIC food benefits, breastfeeding support, health education, counseling, and referrals.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nola.gov
Mental health and recovery · Regional office
Metropolitan Human Services District
3100 General de Gaulle Drive, New Orleans, LA 70114
Help here
- Behavioral health and disability servicesThe district connects residents with mental health, addiction, and developmental disability services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mhsdla.org
State office
Orleans Medicaid Office
1450 Poydras Street, Suite 1018, New Orleans, LA 70112
Help here
- Medicaid application and renewal assistanceResidents can get help applying for Medicaid, renewing coverage, and turning in documents.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ldh.la.gov
Older adults · Regional office
New Orleans Council on Aging
2475 Canal Street, 4th Floor, New Orleans, LA 70119
Help here
- Aging and disability supportOlder adults and people with disabilities can ask about meals, homemaker help, legal help, transportation, and other support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on goea.louisiana.gov
Emergency help · City office
New Orleans Office of Coordination and Emergency Management
1300 Perdido Street, Suite 9W03, New Orleans, LA 70112
Help here
- Emergency preparedness informationResidents can get information about preparing for and responding to emergencies in New Orleans.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nola.gov
Jobs and training · City office
JOB1 American Job Center
1307 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70113
Help here
- Job seeker servicesJob seekers can get career counseling, training information, and help finding work.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on job1nola.org
Library · City office
New Orleans Public Library
219 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112
Help here
- Public library servicesResidents can use library books, computers, classes, and other learning resources through the city library system.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nolalibrary.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Orleans Parish, closest to the center of New Orleans first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Free Food Pantry
Common Ground Relief
7.8 miles from the center of New Orleans1804 Deslonde Street, New Orleans, LA 70117
Hours
- Sat10 AM to 1 PM
Who can come: Anyone
What to bring: No ID, registration, income proof, or appointment required. Sign in.
Listed on commongroundrelief.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
lowernine.org food pantry
lowernine.org
7.8 miles from the center of New Orleans1739 Jourdan Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117
Hours
- Sat10 AM to 11 AM. Last name A to F; 11 AM to 12 PM. Last name G to L; 12 PM to 1 PM. Last name M to S; 1 PM to 2 PM. Last name T to Z
Who can come: Anyone; no residency requirement
Listed on lowernine.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Sankofa Lower Nine Food Pantry
Sankofa Community Development Corporation
8.2 miles from the center of New Orleans5029 St. Claude Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117
Hours
- Mon9 AM to 2 PM
- Wed9 AM to 2 PM
Who can come: Households that meet income guidelines
What to bring: Meet household income guidelines and apply for assistance.
Languages: Spanish
Listed on sankofanola.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Mobile pantry
Culture Aid NOLA
8.8 miles from the center of New Orleans1835 St. Roch Ave., New Orleans, LA 70117
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
Who can come: Anyone
What to bring: No documentation or ID needed.
Listed on ready.nola.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Lantern Light Feeding Programs
Lantern Light
11 miles from the center of New Orleans1803 Gravier St., New Orleans, LA 70112
Hours
- Mon9 AM to 9:30 AM. Morning snack; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
- Tue9 AM to 9:30 AM. Morning snack; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
- Wed9 AM to 9:30 AM. Morning snack; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
- Thu9 AM to 9:30 AM. Morning snack; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
- Fri9 AM to 9:30 AM. Morning snack; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
Who can come: People who are homeless or have low income
Listed on lanternlight.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Lantern Light Feeding Programs
Lantern Light
11 miles from the center of New Orleans1803 Gravier St., New Orleans, LA 70112
Hours
- Fri9:30 AM to 10:30 AM (1st and 3rd of the month)
Who can come: Orleans Parish residents
What to bring: First time registrants must bring ID, proof of income, and a lease or other proof of address.
Listed on lanternlight.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Orleans Parish
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
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services 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
Total CA, Inc.
1420 S. Jefferson Davis Parkway, New Orleans, LA 70125
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Job help near Orleans 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
New Orleans American Job Center- Job1 and Job 1Youth Works Center
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
12 miles away
1307 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70113
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00am-5:00pm Friday 8:00am-2:00 pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on October 9, 2026
Youth program
Louisiana Green Corps
11 miles away
2645 Toulouse Street, New Orleans, LA 70119
Youth and reentry program
America Works - New Orleans
For young people
11 miles away
650 Poydras Street, Suite 1400, New Orleans, LA 70130
Youth and reentry program
Goodwill Industries - New Orleans
For young people
12 miles away
3400 Tulane Avenue, Suite 1000, New Orleans, LA 70119
Youth and reentry program
Hope House
For young people
12 miles away
916 St. Andrew St., New Orleans, LA 70130
Youth program
Juma - New Orleans
12 miles away
4035 Washington Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70125
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
New Orleans Workforce Development Board
1307 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., Suite 3000, New Orleans, LA 70113
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 Orleans Parish
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
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