Jefferson parish water bill pay

METAIRIE, La. (WVUE) - In the first three months of 2024, the Jefferson Parish Water Department has taken almost as many customer calls as it had in all of 2023.Residents on both banks of the parish complain that trying to fix their water bills with such long phone waits can be draining. Fox 8 has highlighted residents over the last three weeks who say their bills have skyrocketed.“One day, I’m on my sofa opening my mail, and there is a $4,000 water bill. And it says I used 400,000 gallons of water,” Metairie resident Ronnie Dalleo said.Jaime Zwiener, who also lives in Metairie, said, “When you’re paying more money for your water bill than you are for your electricity bill in Southern Louisiana, something’s not right.”Marrero resident Sharon Veller said, “I have to wait on the line because there is 40-45 people ahead of me calling.”According to Jefferson Parish, the average water department call wait time is nearly 51 minutes, up from just over five minutes in 2020 and 3 1/2 minutes in 2021.In 2022, when the parish implemented the first of a 20-year rate increase to address aging infrastructure, more than 17,000 people called. That number dipped in 2023 to more than 15,700. But in the first three months of 2024, more than 15,100 people have called the water department. The parish says 2024 bi-monthly utility bills now reflect higher water rates and a nearly 27% increase for garbage collection.“We’ve also instituted a call-back feature,” said Jefferson Parish president Cynthia Lee Sheng.Lee Sheng said hiring is challenging since the pandemic. Currently there are eight customer service specialists to answer calls and emails. Five are in training.“We moved those customer service specialists to a 40-hour work week, to allow more phone time and email replies,” Lee Sheng said.The parish wants residents to understand that utility bills cover multiple items, not just water. Lee Sheng said bills should not be drastically different. She said if you see an unusual increase in consumption to call the parish or have someone check your property for leaks.“If you can bring down your water consumption, your sewerage will come down much more and that’s more expensive on your bill,” Lee Sheng said.According to a spokesperson, the parish plans to start a temporary pilot program with a staffing agency to be able to hire additional call center personnel.See a spelling or grammar error in our story?

A month of items such as canned goods, juices, etc. They also give vitamins and nutritious drinks, and learn more on places for free Ensure. Homemaker services include activities such as light meal preparation, housekeeping, errands, and more. A small donation is required. Government benefit programs - There is money from the government for senior citizens over the age of 60 in the parishes of Vermillion, Jefferson Davis and Acadia. Grant money, Medicare applications, assistance for caregivers and more is offered. Transportation assistance and rides can be made to doctors, shopping trips, medical appointments and other services. Aging offices are in multiple parishes. They include the following. 824 E. First St., Crowley, Louisiana 70526, (337) 788-1400 or in efferson Davis, Jennings, LA 70546, telephone (337) 824-5504, and 1928 Graceland, Abbeville, Louisiana 70510, call (337) 893-2563. Crowley Christian Care Center – Provides the low-income with food, financial help with prescriptions, gently used clothing, assistance with paying rent and utilities. Also get information and referral to other non-profit agencies and government programs that may offer more services. They rely on the money raised from their thrift store as well as volunteers from Acadia Parish. Call (337) 783-5811, or more on Crowley Christian Care Center assistance programs. Jefferson Davis area Salvation Army - Residents of this parish can apply for help from the church based group. The programs include emergency food or groceries, money for rent or utility/water bills, after school care, a homeless shelter, and counseling from a ministry service. There are also seasonal services in the region. The Salvation Army has items like a free back to school supply giveaway as well as Thanksgiving turkeys, Christmas meal or toys, and cool weather shelters. Other support may also be given by the charity, including linking families to other resources. Read Jefferson Davis Parish Salvation Army. DCFS has multiple offices in the Jefferson Davis, Acadia and Vermillion Parish area. They process applications to government benefits, including SNAP food stamps to help pay for groceries, There is also free government money from TANF (FITAP) in Louisiana, Medicaid for medical or dental care and other low-income benefit programs. Learn more on Louisiana TANF. Or dial 1-888-524-3578. Vermilion Parish - 729 Veterans Memorial Drive, Abbeville, LA 70510. Call (337) 898-1430 Jefferson Davis Parish - 403 Baker Street, Jennings, LA 70546 Acadia Parish - 600 North Avenue G, Crowley, LA 70527 or dial (337) 788-7503 Volunteers of America in Louisiana helps with shelter, housing, and rental matters. The homeless from the region can get access to emergency shelter. Clients then may be able to progress to case management, job seeking assistance, then transitional housing. Staff also provide referrals and other support to the low income, disabled and

Primary beneficiaries. The Patient Assistance Program (PAP) can also provide medications in Jefferson Davis Parish and nearby towns. Local pharmacists, physicians, and other health care providers refer patients to the PAP program, which can help them obtain free or low-cost medication from the major pharmaceutical companies. Read more patient assistance programs. Toys for Tots can provide gifts and toys for free to children of families on public assistance. The holiday program is run with the U S Marine Corps, and it is especially important to single moms and parents who might otherwise have to see their children do without toys or gifts for Christmas. First-time homebuyers can get financial assistance for making a down payment. ASSIST is a Comprehensive Housing Development Organization, and they also offer housing counseling and mortgage assistance programs. All resources are part of the Affordable Housing Program. Learn more on HUD foreclosure counseling in Louisiana. Shelter Home is available for women and children. In addition to shelter and short term housing, it offers food, meals, clothing bank, job services, personal hygiene, GED classes, life skills education, day care, and medical bill assistance. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance offers free federal and state tax preparation for low income individuals in Vermillion and neighboring areas. ASSIST Agency, Inc is also a HUD-Approved Housing Counseling. Renters and homeowners can get information and free advice on foreclosure prevention, help seeking and buying a home, low interest financing, and advice on maintaining or renting a home. Those seeking a place can learn about local security deposit assistance programs, if any exist. Childcare is offered at affordable rates from Childcare Centers in Crowley, Abbeville, Church Point, and Rayne. Locate child care assistance in Louisiana. Financial Assistance is offered to low income and working poor families. Assistance can help them reduce the burden of medications, home energy costs, groceries and food. Apply for emergency voucher assistance for shelter, home repairs and modifications/improvements. ASSIST Agency, Inc. has multiple offices in the region. Call 337-824-7800 or 337-788-7551. Several other assistance programs and resources are offered for low income residents. Read more on ASSIST Agency. Emergency financial help for bills, free stuff and basic needs in Vermillion and Jefferson Davis parish area Council on Aging, Inc. has several offices around the region. The focus is on senior citizens, the elderly, as well as disabled. They are located at the addresses below. Energy bill assistance, including LIHEAP, can help pay the utilities, including cooling bills, of low income seniors over 60. Additional details on Louisiana utility bill assistance. Free food assistance includes home delivered meals for homebound age 60 or older. Meal sites also serve lunch for the elderly and seniors. Food distribution is offered at most once

Find financial help in the Acadia Parish area as well as cities of Abbeville Louisiana and others. Struggling families, whether they are low income or not, can receive free grant money or loans for paying electric bills, rent, housing, and other living expenses. There are churches that offer free food or clothes, back to school supplies from charities, and also government cash assistance programs. Get financial assistance near you in Jefferson Davis, Vermillion, and Acadia Parish. There are charities and non-profits that give free grants. Many families in Jefferson Davis, Acadia and Vermillion lack medical care. There are many dental clinics as well as free insulin, prescription drugs, and free healthcare from clinics. Adults, children, and the elderly can apply. Or single moms can get help, there are free Christmas toys or meals, and other emergency help. Grant money and social services from community action The community action agency to call for help is ASSIST Agency, Inc. They are based in Crowley, Louisiana and can be reached at 337-824-7800 or 337-788-7551. However they offer services to low-income families or families living in poverty across the entire region of Vermillion, Jefferson Davis and other parishes. Food for Families - Distributes free food baskets and groceries to those in need. There are fresh and canned items, baby formula, ensure for senior citizens and more. Food vouchers are offered as well to low-income families to help them remain healthy. Outreach and Referral – The community action agency can provide information on availability of services offered by the state of Louisiana, federal government, and other non-profit agencies in the parishes of Acadia, Jefferson Davis, and Vermillion. Learn about free Legal Aid and Community Services, Welfare, SNAP (Food Stamps), Social Security, and more. Get referrals and help in applying for public aid. Emergency Voucher Assistance - These programs are offered by LDOL, FEMA or the United Way. It can provide emergency financial assistance on a one-time basis to clients who have suffered a loss due to some type of circumstances that was not caused by them and is beyond their control. Apply for Medicaid / Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program at the ASSIST Agency. The federal government program provides primary and preventative health care to low income families. It also offers long-term care to disabled and low-income seniors. The LaCHIP program can also help with medical bills by offering health and dental care coverage at no cost for uninsured children younger than nineteen years of age. Pharmaceutical Access Program can help low income, disadvantaged individuals, and uninsured pay for the cost of prescription drugs. The Lafayette Community Pharmacy Clinic and ASSIST partner together to offer this service. The indigent, elderly, disabled and working poor are

Seniors in parishes such as Acadia. Click details on Volunteers of America in Baton Rogue. SMILE is an agency that can provide referrals and intake for residents in Jefferson Davis and/or Acadia parish. Some of what may be available in the region includes free food pantries, meals on wheels for senior citizens, and low interest loan programs for various financial needs. Another key focus in on child development from Head Start and job training resources. Learn more on SMILE community action agency. Christian Care and Share Center also supports all parishes. Funding is limited, and when available, it can address a number of needs. The non-profit may have help and grants with rent, housing and utility bills, food to the needy, household goods and furniture, clothes, and emergency transportation. 129 W. Main Street, Ville Platte, LA 70586, telephone (337) 363-8041 701 Chevis St., Abbeville, Louisiana 70510, dial (337) 893-9756 St. Edmond St. Vincent de Paul Society can be reached at (337) 981-0874. Offers emergency assistance for the following areas. Utilities, cooling bills, and prescriptions medications. People can apply at most every 6 months. They have free clothes, furniture, and support for low-income families. Free food pantries and distribution centers Kaplan Food Bank at 401 North Cushing Ave., Kaplan, Louisiana 70548, call (337) 643-6055. This location provides baby formula, milk vouchers, food and groceries to families in need in Vermilion parish. Seniors program can give Ensure to the elderly when available. Proof of need is required when applying; including income and you must show food stamp approval when applying. Other locations to call or stop by at for food and nutritional assistance include: Christian Service Center of Iota operates a pantry. Call (337) 779-3057 Christian Service Center of Rayne Louisiana. Main phone number is (337) 334-5031 Ms Helen' Soup Kitchen, 224 W. 5th St., Crowley, LA 70527, main number (337) 783-7374 SNAP food stamps applications for emergencies are available. The federal government, working with social services in Louisiana and local parishes, will help families facing a hardship get an EBT card in less time. Locate emergency EBT. Feeding America has partners in the region too. This is a national network with local churches, food pantries in Abbeville and Jefferson Davis Parish, and other towns. They partner to provide free meals (including at holidays), surplus government commodities, USDA lunch or breakfast, groceries and more. Continue with Feeding America near you. Affordable or free health care from clinics Abbeville Community Health Clinic – Some services may be offered on a sliding fee scale, for free or lower rates. The location is a full service medical and dental clinic. Examples of some of the clinic services include internal medicine, family medicine, Kid-Med services, physicals,

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