Help in Louisiana
For people starting over after prison, foster care, treatment, homelessness, abuse, or trafficking
We've verified 15 places in Louisiana, most of them in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport, plus 7 that serve the whole state. The most help we've found here is for people leaving homelessness (11) and after prison or jail (10).
Louisiana 211
Information and referral line covering Louisiana's 64 parishes, operated by a collaboration of eight nonprofits. Dial 211 or text your zip code to be pointed to health and human services near you.
Extended Foster Care Program
Voluntary program for young adults who turned 18 in foster care and are under 21. A LifeSet caseworker meets with you at least weekly to work on school, employment, housing, and independent living skills. Entry is through a referral form or DCFS customer service.
Vital Records Registry
Where Louisiana birth certificates are issued. Louisiana is a closed-record state, so you need photo ID, the exact fee, and a completed application. Walk in at the New Orleans central office, mail the application to the PO Box (8-10 weeks), or go through a participating Clerk of Court.
SNAP Eligibility and Application
Louisiana's food-stamp program, now administered by LDH. Apply online through the LA CAFE self-service portal, by phone at 888-LAHelp-U, or on paper in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, or large print. After you file, an LDH worker calls for a phone interview.
Covenant House New Orleans
Crisis shelter and care center for youth ages 16 to 22 who have nowhere to go, including young parents and survivors of trafficking. Open around the clock all year; walk in on North Rampart Street or call the 24/7 line to get a bed, then move toward stable housing with education, employment, and health support.
Acadiana Legal Service Corporation
Free civil legal aid across 42 Louisiana parishes for low-income people: evictions and housing conditions, public benefits, debt and consumer problems, protective orders and family law, and replacing lost documents after disasters. Apply online any time or call the intake line during limited morning and Thursday-afternoon hours.
National lines that work in Louisiana
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referral for substance use and mental health. Finds local programs that take your insurance or none.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis. Available to anyone in any program.
Lifeline free phone program
Free or discounted phone and service for people on Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or low income. Apply online or through a carrier.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 confidential hotline for survivors of trafficking and people who suspect it. Connects to vetted local services.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 confidential help for anyone affected by domestic violence. Advocates connect you to local shelters and legal help.
Start right where you are
Each program has a step-by-step checklist for the first 72 hours, 30 days, and 90 days, so you always know your next step.