We have not had time to verify every charitible agency or organizations on our site and we do not endorse any of these agencies or organizations.
This page contains information and links for financial, medical, housing and other resources.
211: If you do not know where to turn for community resources, just dial 211 on your phone. This is a service through United Way and they have the most comprehensive information for your area.
MEDICAL AND PRESCRIPTION COVERAGE
The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS): The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), provides food assistance, financial aid, medical care and other services for those who qualify. Even if you do not qualify for full medical care, most state have a state assisted program that you may qualify for, to assist in paying your healthcare premiums. Contact your local Department of Social and Health Services for more information.
HealthAssistancePartnership: This site has links with information about Medicare, Medicaid, and supplemental private insurance programs. There is also contact information for State Health Insurance Programs (SHIPs), and information about how to choose a prescription plan. Phone: (202) 737-6340 Website: www.healthassistancepartnership.org
BenefitsCheckUP: A comprehensive online service to screen for federal, state and some local private and public benefits for older adults (ages 55 and older). It contains over 1,300 different programs from all fifty states. The program helps to connect individuals to government programs that can help them pay for prescription medications, health care, utilites, and other needs.
Website: www.benefitscheckup.org
FreeDrugCard.us: This is a free prescription drug discount card program that is open to everyone. You are not required to fill out an application. You can save an average of over 30% with savings as high as 75% on your prescriptions through this program. To obtain drug pricing, search participating pharmacies and to download a membership card that can be used immediately , just go to their website or call them toll free at Phone: (866) 410-4225 and they will mail you a card. Website: www.freedrugcard.us
access2wellness: Many people might find themselves choosing between medications and other important necessities of life. access2wellness provides access to one of the broadest selections of assistance programs that offer more than 1,000 prescription medications, for free or at a discount, to those who qualify. This site contains information about these programs and can help determine who might be eligible to receive assistance. Website: www.access2wellness.com/a2w/index.html
Net Wish: Net Wish was started anonymously by a businessman to help the working poor, the elderly, children and the disabled. His intention was to help the less fortunate in the community, and absolutely no tax benefit is received for wishes fulfilled. Net Wish accepts hundreds of requests for immediate and pressing financial aid every month. Up to $500 per request is given if accepted. Bills will be directly paid or a gift certificate will be sent for the specific item requested. You must apply through the internet.
Website: www.netwish.org
The Hill-Burton Hotline: Emergency Medical Assistance through The Hill Burton Hotline: Under this program, certain hospitals and other health care facilities provide free or low-cost medical care to patients who cannot afford to pay. You may qualify even if your income is up to double the Poverty Income Guidelines. That's $32,900 for a family of 4. You can apply before or after you receive care and even after a medical bill has been sent to a collection agency. Call the hotline to find out if you meet the eligibility requirements and to request a list of local hospitals who are participating. Phone: (800) 638-0742 Website: www.hrsa.gov/hillburton
The HealthWell Foundation: A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which addresses the needs of individuals who cannot afford their insurance co-payments, premiums, coinsurance or other out-of-pocket health care costs. Phone: (800) 675-848416 Email: info@healthwellfoundation.org Website: www.healthwellfoundation.com
Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA): Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America offers a patient assistance program known as Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA). PPA brings together America's pharma-ceutical companies, health care providers, patient advocacy organizations, and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need. Its mission is to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible. This organization is supported by Montel Williams. Phone: (888) 477-2669 or (800) 762-4636 Website: www.pparx.org
RxHope.com: An internet-based patient assistance and sampling web portal in the pharmaceutical industry. They help physicians, prescribers, and physician office personnel to apply for, obtain, and track requests for no cost medications for their patients when they are unable to afford medications and do not have access to prescription insurance or other government-funded programs. Phone: (908) 713-7600 Website: www.rxhope.com
NeedyMeds.com: Provides information on the programs many pharmaceutical companies have that give away free prescription medications to people who have no insurance and qualify for their programs. They do not have a program of their own, nor do they supply medications or help individuals financially. They just supply information about Brand and Generic name drugs, program lists, company lists, state and local programs, Medicaid links, and possible prescription cards. They are a non-profit organization. Website: www.needymeds.com
RXAssist: A national program supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation which offers information on public and private sources of medication assistance. Website: www.rxassist.org
The Medicine Program: Provides prescription medication free or at a lower cost to individuals in need who meet the criteria. The Medicine Program is available nationwide and is designed to help people of all ages. Phone: (866) 694-3893 or write to: P.O. Box 1089, Poplar Bluffs, MO 63902-1089 to request a free brochure and application. Website: www.themedicineprogram.com
The Free Medicine Program: Helps patients in getting prescription medications free of charge provided they meet criteria.
Phone: (800) 921-0072 or write to Free Medicine Program at P.O. Box 630217, Miami, FL 33163-0217
Website: www.freemedicineprogram.com
Together RX Access: A prescription savings program that provides uninsured individuals under age 65 who are not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid with savings on medications from a number of leading pharmaceutical companies.
Phone: (800) 444-4106 Website: www.togetherrxaccess.com/
Rx Outreach: A patient assistance program that provides qualified low-income individuals and families with access to generic versions of brand name medications. $20, $30, or $40 is the TOTAL cost for each 90-day supply. It covers the medication, processing, and shipping. Rx Outreach can be used regardless of age and even if another program is in use. Phone: (800) 769-3880
Website: www.rxoutreach.com
Drugassistant: A site that can refer you to advocates that help in getting assistance for prescriptions. The advocates that drugassistant refers you to will charge anywhere from $5-$10 per prescription. You may be eligible for the program if you have an income of less than $26,000 per year (married), or less than $16,000 per year (single). This site is promoted and endorsed by needymeds.com. You can call if you don't have access to the internet. Phone: (806) 584-7550 Website: www.drugassistant.com
Citizens Health Card: Nationwide program available to anyone that gives varying discounts on prescription medications at many pharmacies. Individuals and families pay a specific rate for the discount card each year. For more details or to apply, contact Citizens Energy Corporation at Phone: (800) 563-5479 Website: www.citizenshealth.com
Pfizer Helpful Answers: Provides comprehensive savings programs to eligible individuals without prescription medication coverage. There may be some exceptions for lower income individuals who have insurance coverage. To see if you may qualify for one of their programs call Phone: (866) 776-3700 or (800) 707-8990 Website: www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/
Pfizer MAINTAIN Program (Medicine assistance for those who are in need): MAINTAIN is a medicine assistance program for newly unemployed Americans wwho do not have prescription coverage. The program allows eligible patients who have recently become unemployed and are currently uninsured continue receiving their Pfizer medicines at no cost for up to one year, or until they become insured again, whichever comes first. For additional information regarding the program call toll free, Phone: (866) 706-2400 Website: www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com
Lilly Answers Card: Available for Medicare beneficiaries and individuals with disabilities who do not have prescription medication coverage and have annual incomes at or below specific criteria. Phone: (877) 795-4559
Website: www.lilly.com/responsibility/servingpatients/programs/
Novartis Patient Assistance Program: Provides assistance to patients experiencing financial hardship who have no third party insurance coverage for their medicines. Phone: (888) 669-6682 Website: www.pharma.us.novartis.com/novartis/pap/pap.jsp
Forest Pharmaceuticals Prescription Assistance Program: Provides no-cost Forest medications to individuals who qualify.
Phone: (800) 851-0758 Website: www.forestpharm.com/pap
Merck Prescription Discount Program and Patient Assistance Program: The Merck Prescription Discount Program offers discount medications regardless of age or income. The Patient Assistance Program offers medicine free of charge to eligible individuals, primarily the uninsured. Phone: (800) 727-5400 Website: www.merck.com/consumer
The Eldercare Locator: Information on prescription assistance programs in your state or the number of your state's Department of Aging. They can provide you with more information on prescription medication programs near you. Phone: (800) 677-1116
Website: www.eldercare.gov
Disability Resource Directory: Disability Resources, inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established to promote and improve awareness, availability and accessibility of information that can help people with disabilities live, learn, love, work and play independently. Website: www.disabilityresources.org
Prescription Drug Assistance Programs (Medicare): Offers a searchable database of prescription medication assistance programs, Medicare managed care plans, and Medigap plans that offer prescription medication coverage. The database can be searched by geographic area, manufacturers, and conditions or diseases. Website: www.medicare.gov
The Orange Card Program: Sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline and assists low-income seniors who have no prescription medication coverage. To qualify, seniors or the disabled must be enrolled in Medicare, have an annual income at or below a certain level, and lack public or private medication coverage. Phone (888) 672-6436 Website: http://us.gsk.com/
AARP Member Choice Program: Has a wide range of brand and generic medications available to AARP members with a discount card. For more details or to apply, Phone: (800) 439-4457 Website: www.aarppharmacy.com/
Doctorsolve.com: On-line discount medication. Phone: (866) 732-0305 Website: www.doctorsolve.com
Ameriplan: Ameriplan is a supplemental insurance, fee for services program. AmeriPlan’s services save members millions of dollars each year on dental, vision, prescription, chiropractic and medical health care costs. For more information, call (469) 229-4500 and pick option 2 or email customer service at: customersupport@ameriplanusa.com Website: www.ameriplan.com/about.asp
The National Fibromyalgia Association: The Fibromyalgia Resource Directory link is listed below. It has a plethora of resources. Complementary Treatments, Disability and Work Issues, Elder Issues, Finances, Insurance, Legal Issues, Lifestyle Resources, Medications, Medical Resources, Healthfinder, Mental Health and Counseling, Overlapping Conditions, Pain Management, Research and Clinical Trials and Services Resources. You are bound to find what you are looking for there!
Website: www.fmaware.org/site/PageServer?pagename=resources_directory
Other Medication Assistance: If you cannot afford prescription medications, check with your physician. (S)he can often provide you with free samples in the office. Many community health clinics also provide medications at reduced prices. If you need to be seen at a hospital, some hospitals have "grant programs" to pay for or help pay for your hospital bill. It never hurts to ask! Some community organizations (such as churches) may help to pay for your prescriptions. Call around!
Mental Health Services
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI is a mental health resource for both the afflicted and the caregiver. They provide a list of free or low-cost mental illness medications provided by pharmaceutical companies. They also provide information and support about mental health issues and can guide you to services in your area. Phone: (800) 950-6264 Website: www.nami.org
Transportation/Travel
Free Transportation To Medical Appointments: If Mom has to get to a doctor's visit in the middle of the day, and you can't take her, or if you have a disability that may cause you to miss an appointment if someone else doesn't drive, you may be able to get free transportation and escort services provided by your local health office or your office on aging. Some communities even provide very low-cost door-to-door services for seniors to go anywhere. If you are unable to find your local public health office, contact your state health department listed in the blue pages of your phone book.
Local Transportation: Some states offer a local transportation program for persons who are disabled. For details, call the information/general assistance numbers at your local bus stations, train stations, and airports. The Metropolitan Transit Authority in many cities also offers special buses or services such as discount fares, "reserve-a-ride" programs, or regional ride sharing. Medicaid can also offer free transportation to your doctor's office. For details on available services, check with your local Metropolitan Transit Authority.
Social Security Disability
Social Security Administration: Official government agency which administers SSDI and SSI. Phone: (800) 772-1213
Website: www.ssa.gov
National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR): Social Security attorney's organization which offers FAQ's on SSDI, resource information, and attorney referrals. Phone: (800) 431-2804 Website: www.nosscr.org
Social Security Advisory Service: Offers information about Social Security but is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration. Provides SSAS newsletter and free download of Social Security Handbook. Website: www.ssas.com
General Legal/Disability Assistance
Allsup: Allsup is a leading nationwide provider of financial and healthcare related services to people with disabilities. They have helped thousands of people receive their entitled Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare benefits. Allsup does not deal with SSI, only SSDI. If you call them to use their service, please, let them know that Christina Skywater referred you.
Phone: (800) 279-4357 Website: www.allsup.com
Pine Tree Legal Assistance: Offers online links to websites offering legal assistance. Website: www.ptla.org/links.htm
Prepaid Legal Services: This company offers low cost, pre-paid, legal services. Website: www.johngrant.buildlastingsuccess.com
Medicare Rights Center: The largest independent source of Medicare information and assistance in the U.S. Provides telephone hotline services to individuals who need answers to Medicare questions and offers information on Medicare benefits and rights. Phone: (212) 869-3850 Website: www.medicarerights.org/index.html
Family Village: Disability-related regional/state resources in the U.S. Website: www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/comm/index.html
Disability Resources: Directory to regional/state disability resources. Website: www.disabilityresources.org/DRMreg.html
Technical Assistance Collaborative: Non-profit that works to achieve positive outcomes for people with disabilities and other special needs. Phone: (617) 266-5657 Website: www.tacinc.org
Employment Accommodation
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces all Equal Employment Opportunity laws. EEOC also provides oversight and coordination of all federal equal employment opportunity regulations, practices, and policies. There are several publications that you can read on their Website: www.eeoc.gov
American with Disabilities Act (ADA): Enforces Disability Laws. There are several publications that you can read on their
Website: www.ada.gov
United States Department of Labor/Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): Entitles eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job protected leave in a 12-month period for specified family and medical reasons. Phone: (866) 487-9243 Website: www.dol.gov/esa/whd/contact_us.htm
Job Accommodation Network (JAN): Provides free advisory service on accommodations available through the Americans with Disabilities Act--ADA. Phone: (800) 526-7234 Website: www.jan.wvu.edu/media/Fibro.html
Disability And Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTAC): Answer questions related to the ADA. Phone: (800) 949-4232
Website: www.adata.org
Worktree.com: Large online job search portal. Website: www.disabled2work.com
Financial/Credit Services
U.S. Trustee Program: Before you can file for bankruptcy under either Chapter 7 (which allows you to "start over with a clean slate") or Chapter 13 (which requires you to pay back a portion or all of your debts, under a court ordered payment plan), you must complete credit counseling with an agency approved by the United States Trustee's office. The counseling service will attempt to negotiate with your credit companies to acquire a payment plan that is affordable for you and can also negotiate interest rates and pay-offs. The link to the approved list of credit counseling agencies is listed below. Website: www.usdoj.gov/ust/
To view the new Bankruptcy Law changes, visit this Website: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/article-30040.html
Better Business Bureau (BBB): I use the BBB all of the time to check out businesses that I am considering dealing with. If you cannot find the business that you are looking for listed or the business has a poor rating, do not use them! Website: www.bbb.org
Housing
There are several forms of subsidized housing.
Federal Section 8 Subsidized Housing: Housing choice vouchers allow very low-income families to choose and lease or purchase safe, decent, and affordable privately-owned rental housing. Website: www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/index.cfm
Aside from the Federal Section 8 housing, there are several other Section 8, low income housing programs that vary depending on where you live. Some "the city of" have Section 8 housing programs, some "county of" have Section 8 housing programs and then there are "low-income" Section 8 apartment complexes, all of which you can apply for, if you qualify. Wherever you are located, just look for "city of housing authority", "county of housing authority" or ask your local Department of Social Services (DSHS) office for a list of low-income apartment complexes in your area.
Emergency Housing
If you are in need of emergency housing, there may be some resources in your area. The United Way, Salvation Army, Volunteers of America or similar organizations or churches in your area, may have funds that are used for emergency housing.
Utilities and Heating
Most states have an energy assistance program to help with your utility and heating bills during the winter, your utility/heating company should be able to give you that information. Also, If you are on disability, ask your utility/heating company if they have a discount for disabled individuals. Again, other great resources to turn to are The United Way, Salvation Army, Volunteers of America or similar organizations or churches in your area. They may have funds that can be used for this type of situation.
Telephone Service: If you are disabled, most telephone companies offer a disabled discount, all you need to do is ask and they will let you know what they need from you in order to receive the discount!
Food
Aside from applying for food benefits through your local Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), DSHS may be able to provide you with a list of food banks in your area. You can also try the organizations that are listed above under utilities and heating, as they may be able to help you with food also.
Other disability and resource info websites:
www.fmpartnership.org/emerserv.htm
www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=12585&B1=CHWEBO
www.disabilitysecrets.com/social_security_disability_fibromyalgia.html
Disclaimer
I am not a medical doctor nor am I an attorney; I am an individual with
fibromyalgia/myofascial pain syndrome. This resource guide was created
for information, fundraising and awareness purposes only. This
information cannot take the place of professional medical advice
or professional legal advice. Any attempt to diagnose and treat an
illness should come under the direction of a physician.
We have not verified all of the charitable agencies or organizations in this resource guide and we do not endorse any of these agencies or organizations. No guarantees are made regarding any of the information in this resource guide. This resource guide is the property of The Fibromyalgia Awareness Foundation ~Fundraising for Fibro~ and The Coffee Girlz. It may not be copied or reproduced for any reason without prior written permission from The Fibromyalgia Awareness Foundation ~Fundraising for Fibro~ or The Coffee Girlz Thank you for your understanding!
