Commodity Food Program | CSBG Emergency Assistance
Emergency Food Pantry | FEMA Emergency Rent/Mortgage Assistance Program | Housing Opportunities For Persons With AIDS (HOPWA)
Income Tax Service | Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Project Care Emergency Services to the Elderly & Disabled | Solid Waste Fee Increase Waiver Program
 

Commodity Food Program

This program commonly referred to as the "Commodity Program," coordinates the distribution of surplus government food products to eligible households throughout East Baton Rouge Parish. The surplus food is distributed three to four times a year, contingent upon availability.

INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES Fiscal Year 2009
Size of Family Unit	Monthly Income is Less Than	Yearly Income is Less Than
1	$1,127	$13,520
2	$1,517	$18,200
3	$1,907	$22,880
4	$2,297	$27,560
5	$2,687	$32,240
6	$3,077	$36,920
7	$3,467	$41,600
8	$3,857	$46,280
For households with more than 8 members, add $390(monthly) or $4,680(yearly) for each additional member.

Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) Emergency Assistance

Services include Emergency Utilities Payments, Rent/Mortgage Payments, and Medication Payments. These services are contingent upon the availability of funds.

Emergency Food Pantry

The Office of Social Services is a member agency of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. The pantry provides food to individuals and families who have established an urgent need for food.

FEMA Emergency Rent/Mortgage Assistance Program

The Emergency Assistance Program provides assistance to individuals and families facing eviction or foreclosure. Assistance is limited to one payment every twelve months, contingent upon the availability of funds.

Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)

The HOPWA program is designed for low-income persons who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The program creates and supports access to affordable housing by assisting clients to better maintain a stable living environment and reduce homelessness by offering assistance with rent, mortgage, and utilities.

Other goals of the HOPWA program include improving access to health care and supportive services.

Income Tax Service

The Office of Social Services Staff prepares State and Federal Income Tax forms at no cost for low income families.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

This program provides utility payments to energy vendors on behalf of eligible East Baton Rouge Parish residents. Utility payments are made once in a twelve month period on a non-emergency basis, contingent upon availability of funds. Eligible individuals must meet income guidelines..

Project Care: Emergency Services to the Elderly & Disabled

The Office of Social Services accepts applications for emergency utility assistance for persons 60 and older and persons with a disability (Proof of disability needs to be provided) on behalf of Council on Aging.

Solid Waste Fee Increase Waiver Program

For East Baton Rouge Parish Residents (excluding residents in the Cities of Baker & Zachary)

The monthly residential Solid Waste User Fee increased from $15.50 to $19.00, effective January 1, 2008. The City-Parish has implemented a Solid Waste Fee Increase Waiver Program for low-income residents. This program will allow the fee increase to be waived for eligible residents. Applications for this waiver will be taken at all Community Centers.