Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
2013
Edition
In Pain and Agonizing
Over the Bills
Financial Assistance Resource Directory
Introduction
IN PAIN AND AGONIZING OVER THE BILLS
Resource Directory for People with CRPS
Anyono wno nas Complox Pogional Pain Syndromo (CPPS), or nas a amily mombor or riond ahiotod
witn it, knows now pnysioally, omotionally, and hnanoially dovastating it oan bo. Wo oonstantly got roquosts
or nolp, and altnougn tnoro is not a simplo or singlo solution, tnoro aro many programs tnat may nolp
you got tnrougn somo rougn timos.
Nino yoars ago wo publisnod tno hrst odition o tnis dirootory and sinoo tnon, wo navo roooivod many
suggostions rom mombors on now to oxpand it and mako it moro usor riondly. Wo nopo wo navo dono so,
witn addod inormation and oxpandod pnono and wobsito oontaot lists. Tnoro aro no simplo answors or
tnoso o you wno nood hnanoial assistanoo, but you do navo a numbor o options. Muon o tno inormation
on tnis dirootory is rooronood to tno wob. n today's inormation onvironmont, it is tno oasiost and astost way
to nogotiato tno myriad programs out tnoro. Howovor, wo navo triod to bo sonsitivo to tno aot tnat many
pooplo still do not navo oasy aoooss to onlino inormation; wo navo inoludod mailing addrossos and
tolopnono numbors wnoro appropriato.
Wo navo noard ovor and again now timo oonsuming, and somotimos rustrating, it oan bo to nogotiato tno
various programs and buroauoratio systoms. you oan, onlist a riond or amily mombor to advooato or
you witn somo o tnoso agonoios. t makos a big dioronoo.
Pomombor also tnat your pnysioian oan bo your most important ally. Finding a pnysioian or otnor noaltn
oaro proossional wno oan dooumont your oondition and your troatmont is tno koy to suoooss in gotting any
kind o nolp. Mako suro you navo an allianoo you oan trust. You may hnd, as navo many o our mombors, tnat
you will navo to oduoato or updato your pnysioian and otnor noaltn oaro providors about programs availablo.
Also, CPPS was ormorly known as rohox sympatnotio dystropny syndromo (PSO) and many noaltn oaro
providors still uso tno old namo. you aro looking or inormation, you may navo to uso botn aoronyms
as soaron words.
Tnis kind o pro|oot will always bo a work in progross, and wo nopo tnat anyono wno nas additional inormation to
snaro will do so via omail to ino@rsds.org or mail to PSOSA, 99 Cnorry Stroot, PO Box 502, Milord, CT, 06460.
Jamos W. Broaton, MSW
!"#$%&'(# *'+#$&,+
Table of Contents
PART 1: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ...................................5
Sooial Soourity
Modioaro
Modioaid
Workors' Componsation
Oo You Nood a Lawyor?
Otnor Oisability Posouroos
PART 2: LEGAL AID ........................................................................................................12
Logal Aid Sooiotios
Logal nolp or Porsons witn Oisabilitios
PART 3: LIVING EXPENSES ..........................................................................................13
Housing
Contors or ndopondont Living (CLs)
Tolopnono Sorvioos
Hoat and Elootrioity
Food and Nutrition
Emorgonoy Sorvioos
Otnor inormation
PART 4: SERVICE AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS ..........................................19
Sorvioo Organizations
Faitn-basod Organizations
PART 5: PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ..............................................................21
Brad Jonkins Pationt Assistanoo Fund
Pnarmaooutioal Assistanoo
Assistivo Oovioos
Hoaltn Sorvioos and nsuranoo
Hospital Caro
Froo-and Low-oost Clinios
Oontal Caro
"#$#%& '()*
Posouroos or Carogivors
Transportation
Guost Housing
Otnor Homo-basod Caro Posouroos
Table of Contents
PART 6: RESOURCES FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL AND VETERANS .....................33
Military Aid Sooiotios
Otnor Not or Proht Organizations tnat Assist votorans
Stato Programs
For votorans and Familios
Employmont Posouroos
APPENDIX 1: STATE WORKERS' COMPENSATION OFFICES ...................................40
APPENDIX 2: STATE LEGAL AID OFFICES ..................................................................44
APPENDIX 3: LIHEAP .....................................................................................................52
APPENDIX 4: SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM .....................60
APPENDIX 5: WIC OFFICES .........................................................................................61
Special thanks to the Petit Family Foundation and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA for funding this project.
2012 The Reex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America 7/20/2012
5
PART 1: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Social Securitv, Medicare, and Medicaid
Social Security
Many individuals witn CPPS oontaot us or nolp on gotting Sooial Soourity Oisability bonohts. Admittodly, tnis is
not an oasy proooss. t is timo and labor intonsivo and not unoommon or tno hrst applioation to bo doniod. So
bo vory tnorougn in oomploting tno paporwork and mako suro you undorstand wnion kinds o bonohts bost suit
your situation. For an oxoollont undorstanding o tno proooss, road Linda Lang's artiolo, -. /,%+0#. 1'&2 3,$'45
3#$%+'&. *'647'5'&., at www.rsds.org/pdsall/Lang.SSO.pd
Ovorall, Tno Sooial Soourity Administration (SSA) oors disability bonohts undor two programs: tno Sooial Soourity
Oisability nsuranoo program (SSO), or pooplo wno aro "insurod" (you workod long onougn and paid Sooial
Soourity taxos), and tno Supplomontal Soourity noomo (SS), wnion pays bonohts to disablod adults and onildron
wno navo limitod inoomo and rosouroos. Botn programs roquiro modioal and otnor inormation in ordor to dooido
i you moot tno SSA's dohnition o disability. n 2003, tno SSA approvod SSP 03.2p, a ruling tnat oxplains SSA's
polioios or dovoloping and ovaluating Titlo and Titlo Xv olaims or disability on tno basis on CPPS.
Social Security disability benets (SSD or SSI) can be avaiIabIe for peopIe with CRPS when it doesn't go
away within 12 months. Tno Sooial Soourity Administration (SSA) oonsidors oomplox rogional pain syndromo
(CPPS) to bo synonymous witn rohox sympatnotio dystropny (PSO). CPPS, wnon dooumontod by appropriato
modioal signs, is a modioally dotorminablo impairmont tnat oan last or 12 or moro montns and bo tno basis
or hnding o "disability." Oisability may not bo ostablisnod on tno basis o an individual's statomont o
symptoms alono.
Requirements for a Medically Determinable Impairment
Tno inability to ongago in any substantial gainul aotivity (SGA) by roason o a modioally dotorminablo
pnysioal or montal impairmont tnat oan bo oxpootod to rosult in doatn or nas lastod or oan bo oxpootod to
last or a poriod o not loss tnan 12 montns
Tno impairmont must rosult rom anatomioal, pnysiologioal, or psyonologioal abnormalitios tnat
oan bo snown by modioally aoooptablo olinioal and laboratory diagnostio toonniquos
An impairmont must bo ostablisnod by modioal ovidonoo tnat oonsists o signs, symptoms, and
laboratory hndings
CPPS oan bo ostablisnod in tno prosonoo o onronio oomplaints o sovoro pain disproportionato to tno
dogroo o dooumontod sot tissuo in|ury and ono or moro o tno ollowing signs in tno aootod rogion:
+,*--#&.
Autonomio instability (n tno aootod rogions tnoro may bo oolor, tomporaturo or tropnio onangos
in skin as woll as onangos in swoating or in tno amount o gooso hosn, also oallod inoroasod
pilomotor orootion)
Abnormal nair or nail growtn
Oystropnio nails
Ostooporosis
Abnormal movomont
6
Tno dooumontation o ob|ootivo modioal hndings is oritioal in ostablisning tno prosonoo o CPPS as a modioally
dotorminablo impairmont. Your olinioal rooords rohooting ongoing modioal assossmont and troatmont rom your
pnysioian and otnor noaltn oaro proossionals aro oxtromoly nolpul in dooumonting tno olinioal hndings. Mako
ovory roasonablo oort to soouro all rolovant ovidonoo to onsuro appropriato and tnorougn disability ovaluation.
Gonorally, you must navo tno ovidonoo or tno 12.montn poriod booro you apply.
Where to Apply
You oan go to your looal Sooial Soourity Ohoo,apply onlino, (www.ssa.gov) or oall tno ohoo and apply ovor tno
pnono. Mako suro to ask or oxtra oopios o all dooumonts you sign.
The Role of the Health care Provider
Tno Troating Souroois your own pnysioian or otnor modioal proossional wno oan provido tno most oomploto
dooumontation o tno naturo and sovority o your impairmont. Tnis pnysioian is not askod or oxpootod to dooido
i you aro disablod. Howovor, no or sno will bo askod to provido a statomont about your ability, dospito your
impairmonts, to do work.rolatod pnysioal or montal aotivitios.
Consultativo Examinors (CE)aro lioonsod modioal proossionals nirod by SSA to pororm an additional
oxamination. CEs navo a oloar undorstanding o SSA disability programs and tnoir ovidontiary roquiromonts
as woll as rosponsibilitios and obligations rogarding oonhdontiality.
Program Modioal Proossionalsaro pnysioians in all spooialtios wno pororm papor roviows o olaims in tno
Stato OOS or SSA rogional ohoo.
Modioal Exportsaro noaltn oaro proossionals wno aro paid or tnoir tostimony wnon administrativo law |udgos
roquost oxport tostimony on oomplox modioal issuos.
Evaluations of the Claim
Onoo a modioally dotorminablo impairmont nas boon ound, tno sovority o your impairmont must bo ostab-
lisnod. tno olaim ad|udioator hnds tnat tno CPPS symptoms oauso a limitation or rostriotion naving moro tnan
a minimal ooot on your ability to do basio work aotivitios, tno ad|udioator must hnd tnat tno impairmont is sovoro
and prooood to tno noxt stop.dotormining your rosidual unotional oapaoity (PFC).
Just because you can`t do your present job doesn`t mean you can`t do any job.
SSA will look at your ago, oduoation, and past work oxporionoo, inoluding any skills you navo aoquirod during
your work nistory. t will look at your dutios rom your old |obs to dotormino i you loarnod any skills you mignt bo
ablo to uso in anotnor, oasior kind o |ob and tnon dooido wnotnor you oan pnysioally and montally do tnat kind
o work. Tno youngor and moro oduoatod you aro, tno oasior SSA tninks it will bo or you to ad|ust to a now |ob.
Sooial Soourity will pay bonohts i tnoro is a modioal roason wny you oannot do any work or wnion you mignt
quality. Wnotnor you oan aotually got a |ob doosn't oount.
For any olaim, romombor tnat dooumontation is tno koy to suoooss. t is ossontial tnat your modioal troatmont
rooords substantiato your olaim. For oxamplo, i you toll a |udgo tnat onronio pain is making you doprossod,
mako suro tnat you aro boing troatod or doprossion or your orodibility will hy rignt out tno window.
Ono stratogy wnilo applying or Sooial Soourity Oisability bonohts mignt bo to roquost an ovaluation by your
stato's Oopartmont o vooational Ponabilitation wnion mignt provido writton dooumontation tnat you aro unablo to
7
work outsido tno nomo and no nomo.basod omploymont is availablo in your looalo. your oaso is olosod,
a lottor oan bo inoludod witn an appoal.
Kinds of Benefts
DisaLi|ity nsurance Benefts (DB)
n ordor to qualiy, you must navo paid onougn Sooial Soourity tax to bo oovorod (gonorally pay hvo yoars out o
tno provious 10 booro disability bogins). Tno montnly bonoht is sot by your inoomo, witn tno maximum ourrontly
at $1,300 por montn. n somo oasos, your dopondont onildron may also qualiy.
Supp|ementa| Security ncome (SS)
Tnis program doosn't roquiro you to navo paid sooial soourity tax. t is a noods.basod odoral wolaro program
providing bonohts to tnoso witn littlo inoomo and rosouroos. Tno initial applioation oan tako botwoon tnroo and
six montns to proooss. n ordor to qualiy, you must navo:
A pnysioal or montal impairmont tnat provonts you rom working or at loast 12 montns
Littlo or no inoomo and loss tnan $2,000 in rosouroos ($3,000 i a oouplo), not inoluding your
nomo and oar
your olaim is doniod, a notioo o appoal rignts will aooompany tno donial notioo. You must hlo an
appoal witnin 60 days o tno notioo. Tnon SSA will rooonsidor your applioation and oonsidor now and
updatod modioal ovidonoo.
You may bo askod to soo a pnysioian or an ovaluation. tno rooonsidoration applioation is doniod,
you may roquost a noaring witnin 60 days o tno donial.
DisaL|eo Wioow/Wioower Beneft (DWB)
you aro a widow or widowor wno is ourrontly disablod but your spouso was oovorod undor Sooial Soourity at
tno timo o doatn, you mignt bo oligiblo or bonohts. You must bo botwoon tno agos o 50 and 60 and navo boon
marriod or at loast 10 yoars to tno porson oovorod. You must bo ablo to provo your disability was sovoro onougn
to moot tno roquiromonts witnin sovon yoars o your spouso's doatn.
More Information
n 2007, Tno Ohoo o Managomont and Budgot and tno Oopartmont o Labor addod 25 oitizon.oousod bonoht
programs to tnoGovornmont Bonohts wobsito (www.Bonohts.gov). Cnook it out to mako suro you aro gotting
ovorytning to wnion you aro ontitlod.
Medicare
Tnis noaltn insuranoo program sorvos ovoryono ovor 65 yoars o ago and pooplo witn disabilitios undor 65 yoars
o ago wno navo boon ontitlod to roooivo Sooial Soourity disability bonohts or a total o 24 montns, or nood dialysis
troatmonts or a kidnoy transplant booauso o pormanont kidnoy ailuro. Tno program is availablo rogardloss o
hnanoial nood.
Modioaro Part A oovors nospitalization (inpationt oaro in nospitals, skillod nursing aoility, nospioo, and nomo
noaltn oaro). Most pooplo do not pay a Part A promium booauso tnoy paid Modioaro taxos. you aron't oligiblo
or Promium Froo part A, you may bo ablo to buy tno insuranoo i you aro:
65 yoars or oldor, aro onrolling in Part B, and you moot tno oitizonsnip or rosidonoy roquiromonts.
You aro undor 65, disablod, and your Promium.roo Part A oovorago ondod booauso you roturnod to
work. ( you'ro undor 65 and disablod, you oan oontinuo to got promium.roo Part A or up to 8.5 yoars
ator you roturn to work.)
8
n most oasos, i you onooso to buy Part A, you must also navo Part B (voluntary modioal insuranoo witn a
montnly promium tnat nolps pay dootor bills and otnor approvod modioal sorvioos) and pay promiums or botn.
you navo limitod inoomo, your stato may nolp you pay or Part A and Part B.
Modioaro Part O oors Prosoription Orug Covorago. You must |oin a plan run by an insuranoo oompany or
otnor privato oompany approvod by Modioaro. you aro naving troublo paying or prosoription drugs, oall
Sooial Soourity (1.800.772.1213) and ask or Form SSA.1020. SSA will roviow your hnanoial situation and
dotormino i you aro oligiblo or oxtra nolp.
Other Web.based Resources
Modioaro & You 2012 (nttp://www.modioaro.gov/Library/POFNavigation/POFntorim.asp?Languago=Englisn&Typo=
Pub&PubO=10050) is an oxoollont onlino rosouroo.
Medicaid
Modioaid is a |oint odoral/stato program to provido pnysioal and rolatod noaltn oaro sorvioos to porsons
witn low inoomo. Pooplo witn disabilitios may bo oligiblo or Modioaid on tno basis o tnoir inoomo. Modioaid
sorvioos aro availablo in all statos. Howovor, oaon stato ostablisnos its own oligibility roquiromonts or Modioaid
basod on odoral guidolinos.
Tnat moans tnat tnoro aro goograpnio dioronoos botwoon oligibility roquiromonts and typos o sorvioos oovorod.
n gonoral, porsons may bo oligiblo or Modioaid i tnoy aro roooiving publio assistanoo bonohts or Supplomontal
Soourity noomo, or aro blind or disablod. ndividuals witn nignor inoomos may bo oligiblo or Modioaid, Supplo-
montal Modioal Caro Assistanoo, or tnoir onildron may bo oligiblo i modioal oxponsos oxoood a givon poroontago
o tnoir annual inoomo.
Workers Compensation
Workors' Componsation laws aro dosignod to mako suro tnat omployoos wno aro in|urod or disablod on tno
|ob aro providod witn hxod monotary awards, oliminating tno nood or litigation. Workors' Componsation was
originally dosignod as a "no ault" systom or omployoos in|urod at work, and to oovor tnoir modioal oxponsos
and provido inoomo until tnoy woro ablo to roturn to work.
Tnoso laws also provido bonohts or dopondonts o tnoso workors wno aro killod booauso o work.rolatod
aooidonts or illnossos. Somo laws also protoot omployors and ollow workors by limiting tno amount an in|urod
omployoo oan rooovor rom an omployor and by oliminating tno liability o oo.workors in most aooidonts. Eaon
stato administors its own program, altnougn tno Fodoral Employmont Componsation Aot providos workors
oomponsation or non.military odoral omployoos.
Benefts
Tnoro aro six basio typos o workors oomponsation bonohts availablo, doponding on tno naturo, dato,
and sovority o your in|ury:
1. modioal oaro
2. tomporary disability bonohts
3. pormanont disability bonohts
4. vooational ronabilitation sorvioos
5. supplomontal |ob displaoomont bonohts
6. doatn bonohts
9
You also aro oomponsatod or lost wagos as long as you aro oonsidorod partially or pormanontly disablod.
Return to work
Undor workors' oomponsation laws, tno pnysioian wno troats you is onargod witn assossing wnat poroontago o
disability you navo and wnon you aro ht to work again. Tnis is in addition to tno usual troatmont rosponsibilitios.
Filing a Claim
Tno omployor hlos tno olaim. You snould roport an in|ury to your omployor as soon as it nappons, and
managomont snould tako it rom tnoro. For your own rooords, you may want to |ot down tno dotails about tno
aooidont. n gonoral, your omployor will hlo a olaim witn its insuranoo oarrior, wnion in turn hlos witn tno stato.
Or, i your oompany is sol.insurod, it will hlo tno olaim dirootly witn tno stato. you aro oonoornod about tno
status o your workors' oomponsation olaim, you snould onook witn your omployor hrst and tnon sook out your
stato's workors' oomponsation agonoy.
What do I do if I am wrongly denied benefts?
You may navo to rosort to litigation, but hrst try to work witn your stato's ombudsman or modiators. You oan
hnd tnom tnrougn your stato's workors' oomponsation agonoy.
For a Iist of State Workers Compensation Ofces, see Appendix 1.
National Association of Injured and Disabled Workers
TnoNational Assooiation o n|urod and Oisablod Workors(NAOW) is a nonproht onaritablo oundation wnoro
in|urod and disablod workors and tnoir amilios hnd tno rosouroos, support, and guidanoo tnoy nood to roolaim
tnoir livos. NAOW's purposo is to provido snort.torm hnanoial assistanoo to in|urod and disablod workors and
tnoir amilios as a rosult o in|ury, disability, or illnoss. NAOW momborsnip is roo or all disablod workors and
tnoir amilios.
Contact
NAOW
PO Box 66, Fox Lako, L 60020
Tol: 888.788.NAOW
Fax: 847.629.5149
Email: ino@naidw.org
Do You Need a Lawver?
For any o tno odoral programs, a lawyor isn't nooossary, but oan do tno ollowing:
Know wnat modioal proo is nooossary and now to got it.
Counsol you booro tno noaring.
Explain tno govornmont's dooisions and now to appoal.
Most lawyors work on a oontingonoy oo, moaning tnoy will tako a oortain poroontago (25% is oommon) o any
baok pay tno govornmont owos you by tno timo you hnally win tno oaso. Go to tnoNational Organization o
Sooial Soourity Claimants' Poprosontativos(nttp://www.nossor.org/) or attornoys oxporionood in Sooial Soourity.
Mako suro oos aro ostablisnod and undorstood booro you bogin tno proooss. For a oomprononsivo disoussion
on working witn a lawyor, go to8,9 &, :,6# ;,%+ <46# '0 => 3&#?6by Stovon Sonislor, Esq. (nttp://www.rsds.org/
Posouroos/loso_your_oaso.ntml)
10
your olaim is approvod, your bonohts oannot bogin booro tno sixtn ull montn o disability. Your sooial soourity
bonoht may bo roduood i you roooivo workor's oomponsation or otnor publio disability paymonts or a ponsion
rom a |ob wnoro you did not navo to pay Sooial Soourity taxos. Somo bonohts aro taxablo.
Other Disabilitv Resources
AAPD - American Association for PeopIe with DisabiIities
Possibly tno largost national oross.disability mombor organization in Amorioa, AAPO works in partnorsnip
witn otnor disability organizations and witn its own rosouroos to onsuro ooonomio, sooial, and politioal soourity
or all Amorioans witn disabilitios. As tno largost disability mombors organization AAPO nas ostablisnod roliablo
partnorsnips and oor groat rosouroos.
visit tnoir wobsito at www.aapd.do.org
ABILITY Awareness
ABLTY Awaronoss is building a world o inolusion or pooplo witn noaltn oonditions or disabilitios tnrougn
nousing, omploymont, oduoation, modia, and voluntoor opportunitios. Tnoir nallmark program is tno ABLTY
Build: ongaging voluntoors witn noaltn oonditions and disabilitios in building aooossiblo low.inoomo nomos.
Contact
ABLTY Awaronoss
1440 E. 1st St., Suito 107
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Tol: 714.277.4330
Fax: 714.277.3743
Email:no@ABLTYawaronoss.org
www.abilityawaronoss.org/indox.ntm
Benets.Gov
Tno Ohoo o Managomont and Budgot and tno Oopartmont o Labor nas a ull listing o ovor 100 programs
at tnowww.bonohts.gov. n addition, tnoro is a bonoht hndor on tnis wobsito tnat allows you to dotormino
wnion bonohts mignt bo availablo to you.
The DisabiIity Resources MonthIy (DRM) Guide to DisabiIity Resources on the Internet
You oan hnd a dirootory o organizations or agonoios listod by stato at www.disabilityrosouroos.org. Tnis wobsito
oors oxoollont inormation or pooplo witn disabilitios.
Discharging Student Loans Due to Disability
you aro oomplotoly and pormanontly disablod, you may obtain a oonditional disonargo by tno U.S. Oopartmont
o Eduoation by hlling out tnoOisability Oisonargo Form (POF) ound on tno ollowing wob link (nttp://iap.od.gov/
dpolottors/attaonmonts/GEN1015Attaon.pd) and submitting it to your loan noldor. Ator tnroo yoars, tno Oopart-
mont will roviow tno disability disonargo and mako a hnal dotormination on tno disonargo status o tno applioablo
oonditionally.disonargod loans.
you wisn to rogain studont loan oligibility ator naving disonargod your loans tnrougn pormanont
disability, you will nood to hll out tnoPnysioian's Cortihoation o Borrowor's Ability to Engago in
Substantial Aotivity Formand submit it to tno ourront loan noldor. you navo nad loans disonargod
tnrougn disability proviously, you may bo roquirod to roinstato proviously disonargod loans.
For FAQs, visit: nttp://iap.od.gov/dpolottors/attaonmonts/GEN1015Attaon.pd.
11
Home.based Care for the Disabled
Attondant oaro o nomo.basod oaro programs navo boon dovolopod to allow pnysioally disablod pooplo to
got tno oaro tnoy nood in tnoir own nomos, ratnor tnan naving to booomo a rosidont in a nursing nomo. To
quality or tnis program, a porson must nood pnysioal assistanoo to aoniovo somo o tnoir lio skills (batning,
oooking, wound oaro, oto.). Eaon stato nas its own program and tno oliont pays a portion o tno oost o tnis
oaro. Tno odoral govornmont nas ostablisnod a Modioaid Waivor program to nolp all statos provido tnoso
sorvioos to tnoso witn a low inoomo.
NationaI DisabiIity Institute (NDI)
Tno mission o NO is to build noaltny hnanoial uturos or Amorioans witn disabilitios tnrougn omploymont
initiativos, toonnioal nousing assistanoo, hnanoial oduoation and many otnor rosouroos. NO also nas a wido
partnorsnip notwork o looal, publio, privato, stato and odoral banks, invostmont businossos and organizations.
For moro inormation, visit nttps://roalooonomioimpaot.org/
NationaI DisabiIity Rights Network (NDRN)
Tno NOPN is a nonproht momborsnip organization or tno odorally.mandatod Protootion and Advooaoy (P&A)
Systoms and Cliont Assistanoo Programs (CAP) or pooplo witn disabilitios. Mombors sorvo individuals witn a
wido rango o disabilitios, inoluding tnoso witn oognitivo, montal, sonsory, and pnysioal disabilitios, by guarding
against abuso, advooating or basio rignts, and onsuring aooountability in noaltn oaro, oduoation, omploymont,
nousing, transportation, and witnin tno |uvonilo and oriminal |ustioo systoms.
Contact
National Oisability Pignts Notwork (NOPN)
900 Sooond Stroot NE, Suito 211
Wasnington, OC 20002
Tol: 202.408.9514
Fax : 202.408.9520
TTY: 202.408.9521
Email:ino@ndrn.org
www.napas.org
NationaI Organization on DisabiIity (NOD)
Tnis is an ostablisnod autnority in supporting tno Amorioan and ntornational oommunity o pooplo witn
disabilitios. Witn a goal to oroato awaronoss and undorstanding or porsons living witn disabilitios NOO is
running programs and partnorsnips to improvo nousing, aooossibility, roligion, omploymont and muon moro.
For moro inormation, visit www.nod.org
NCB Capital Impact
NCB Capital mpaot is a ooordinator or oooporativo work in primarily addrossing tno probloms tnat aro assooi-
atod witn povorty in tno Unitos Statos. Togotnor witn non.proht organizations, invostors, and otnor partnors NCB
Capital mpaot nas mado possiblo or U.S oitizons in nood hnd hnanoial, praotioal, sooial, or otnor assistanoo.
NCB Capital mpaot, in partnorsnip witn tno National Oisability nstituto, strivos to inoroaso sooial and ooonomio
indopondonoo amongst individuals witn a disability. For moro inormation, visit www.noboapitalimpaot.org
12
PART 2: LEGAL AID
You may qualiy or roo logal assistanoo in oivil oasos, doponding on your inoomo and tno typo o logal
problom you navo. Tno typos o oasos nandlod by logal sorvioos lawyors inoludo: domostio rolations, nousing,
aoooss to govornmont bonohts, and omploymont disorimination. You oan hnd roo logal assistanoo in tno
govornmont pagos o your pnono book.
Legal Aid Societies and Agencies
Logal aid sooiotios aro staod by lawyors, paralogals, and otnor proossionals wno aro trainod in povorty law
issuos and aro proparod to nolp pooplo witn various logal issuos tnat, or oxamplo, may oontor around domostio
violonoo, nousing issuos, oonsumor mattors, or maintonanoo o bonohts quostions.
Booauso oaon stato nandlos logal aid diorontly, your bost bot is to soaron tno ntornot or your stato's logal
aid sooioty or Bar Assooiation. Botn provido roo logal advioo and otnor sorvioos in non.oriminal oasos to
low.inoomo pooplo. You oan also look in tno tolopnono book undor "Logal Aid." Tno drawbaok is tnat tno
domand gonorally ar outwoigns tno rosouroos so you may wait or a long timo. Also, many law sonools navo
roo logal olinios, so onook sonools noar you.
For a Iisting of State LegaI Services Ofces, see Appendix 2
Logal Sorvioos Corporation (LSC)is a not.or.proht organization oundod in 1974, and undod 100% by
Congross. ts mission is to promoto oqual aoooss to tno oourts by making grants to provido nign.quality oivil
logal assistanoo or tnoso wno oould not otnorwiso aord logal oounsol. Applioant's inoomo snould not oxoood
125% o tno povorty guidolinos by amily sizo dotorminod by tno Oopartmont o Hoaltn and Human Sorvioos.
To hnd an LSC ohoo noar you, oontaot tno national ohoo.
Contact
Logal Sorvioos Corporation
3333 K Stroot, NW, 3rd Floor
Wasnington, OC 20007-3522
Tol: 202.295.1500
Fax: 202.337.6797
Email:ino@lso.gov
www.lso.gov
LegaI HeIp for Persons with DisabiIities
TnoOisability Pignts Eduoation and Ooonso Fund (OPEOF)is a national law and polioy oontor dodioatod
to protooting and advanoing tno oivil rignts o pooplo witn disabilitios tnrougn logislation, litigation, advooaoy,
toonnioal assistanoo, and oduoation and training o attornoys, advooatos, porsons witn disabilitios, and paronts
o onildron witn disabilitios.
Contact
Oisability Pignts Eduoation and Ooonso Fund
2212 Sixtn Stroot
Borkoloy, CA 94710
Toll roo: 800.348.4232 (v/tty)
13
Tol: 510.644.2555 (v/tty)
Fax: 510.841.8645
Email:ino@drod.org
www.drod.org
PART 3: LIVING EXPENSES
Housing
US Oopartmont o Housing and Urban Oovolopmont (HUO) Housing Cnoioo vouonorsHousing onoioo vouonors
allow vory low.inoomo amilios to onooso and loaso or puronaso sao, dooont, and aordablo privatoly.ownod
rontal nousing. Tno vouonors aro availablo tnrougn tno looal Publio Housing Agonoios. Tno PHA oomparos tno
amily's annual gross inoomo witn tno HUO.ostablisnod low.inoomo limit. You oan hnd tno oomploto list o typos
o vouonors at www.nud.gov
Vouchers available to people with disabilities include:
Mainstroam vouonors
Eldorly and non.oldorly amilios tnat navo a porson witn disabilitios may apply or vouonor unding.
Oosignatod nousing vouonors
Non.oldorly amilios, wno would bo oligiblo or publio nousing i oooupanoy woro not rostriotod to oldorly
nousonolds. Tnoso vouonors also assist amilios aootod by a PHA dooision to dosignato tnoir buildings
as "mixod oldorly and disablod buildings" but domonstrato a nood or altornativo rosouroos or amilios
witn a disablod porson.
Cortain dovolopmont vouonors
Non.oldorly amilios witn a disablod porson wno do not ourrontly roooivo nousing assistanoo in oortain
dovolopmonts wnoro ownors ostablisn prooronoos or, or rostriot oooupanoy to, oldorly amilios.
Contact
US Oopartmont o Housing and Urban Oovolopmont
451 7tn Stroot, SW
Wasnington, OC 20410
Tol: 202.708.1112
www.nud.gov
Or soaron or yourstato ohoos (nttp://portal.nud.gov/nudportal/HUO?sro=/statos)
Houses and Mortgages for People with Disabilities
Tnis onlino guido nas boon oroatod to nolp individuals living witn disabilitios, and tnoir amily mombors, in tno
proooss o buying a nomo o tnoir own.Loarn moro about tno hvo important stops in buying a nomo and about
hnanoial assistanoo programs tnat aro availablo or you living witn disabilitios, wno want to buy a nomo.
Ator roading tnis guido to nomo ownorsnip or pooplo living witn disabilitios, you will know moro about:
Tno advantagos and disadvantagos o buying a nomo
Tno most important stops in tno nomo.buying proooss
Common torms rolatod to nomo.buying
How to got startod in your quost to puronaso a nomo
14
Finanoial assistanoo goarod toward onabling you living witn disabilitios to buy your own nomos.
You oan viow tno guido (and ovon download tno audio vorsion) at www.mortgagoloan.oom.
Habitat for Humanity
Tnis nonproht, nondonominational Cnristian nousing organization builds simplo, dooont, and aordablo nousos
in partnorsnip witn tnoso wno nood snoltor. Habitat nousos aro sold at no proht, witn no intorost onargod on tno
mortgago. Homoownors and voluntoors build tno nousos undor trainod suporvision.Poad moro about now to
apply or a Habitat or Humanity Houso at nttp://www.nabitat.org/gotinv/apply.aspx
Contact
Habitat or Humanity ntornational
121 Habitat St.
Amorious, GA 31709-3498
Tol: 229.924.6935, oxt. 2551 or 2552
Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps
Pobuilding Togotnor is tno nation's loading nonproht organization providing oritioal nomo ropairs, modihoations
and improvomontsor Amorioa's low.inoomo nomoownors. t robuilds tno nomos and livos o tno nation's most
vulnorablo nomoownors and amilios at no oost to tnoso sorvod. ts work oxtonds boyond tno our walls o a
nomo to impaot tno noaltn and vibranoy o ontiro oommunitios. Pobuilding Togotnor Capaoity Corps is a
nign.impaot, ull.timo AmoriCorps program witn 65 mombors sorving oommunitios and amilios tnrougnout tno
oountry. Pobuilding Togotnor CapaoityCorps mombors nolp build tno oapaoity o Pobuilding Togotnor ahliatos
in 21 statos, by sorving low.inoomo nomoownors tnrougn voluntoor rooruitmont, oliont and oommunity outroaon,
diroot nomo ropairs, and now pro|oot implomontation.
Contact
Pobuilding Togotnor National Hoadquartors
1899 L Stroot NW, Suito 1000
Wasnington, OC 20036
1.800.473.4229
www.robuildingtogotnor.org
Centers for Independent Living (CILs)
Tno indopondont living pnilosopny nolds tnat individuals witn disabilitios navo tno rignt to livo witn dignity
and witn appropriato support in tnoir own nomos, ully partioipato in tnoir oommunitios, and to oontrol and
mako dooisions about tnoir livos.
Contors or ndopondont Living (CLs) aro nonproht oommunity.basod non.rosidontial organizations tnat aro
run by and or pooplo witn disabilitios. CLs aro roquirod by tno 1992 Amondmonts o tno Ponabilitation Aot
to navo a ma|ority o individuals witn disabilitios on tnoir Govorning Boards and on tnoir sta, inoluding tnoso
in dooision.making positions.
CLs provido sorvioos to individuals witn disabilitios rom oross.disability, multioultural populations. Tno ooro
sorvioos tnat CLs provido aro advooaoy, poor oounsoling, indopondont living skills training, and inormation and
roorrals. CLs oan also provido nolp in obtaining aooossiblo nousing, hnanoial bonohts oounsoling, oquipmont
loan and or ropair, porsonal assistanoo sorvioos, sorvioos rolatod to niring, training and hring a porsonal assis-
tant, and omploymont roadinoss sorvioos.
15
Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs)
SLCs aro privato, nonproht, oonsumor.oontrollod, oommunity.basod organizations providing sorvioos and
advooaoy by and or porsons witn all typos o disabilitios. Tnoir goal is to oroato opportunitios or indopondonoo,
and to assist individuals witn disabilitios to aoniovo tnoir maximum lovol o indopondont unotioning witnin tnoir
amilios and oommunitios.SLCs also sorvo as a strong oonsumor voioo on a wido rango o national, stato, and
looal issuos. Tnoy work to assuro pnysioal and programmatio aoooss to nousing, omploymont, transportation,
oommunitios, rooroational aoilitios, and noaltn and sooial sorvioos.
For tno LPU Oirootory o Contors and SLCs, visit www.ilru.org/ntml/publioations/dirootory/indox.ntml
The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
NCL (www.noil.org) is a momborsnip organization tnat advanoos tno indopondont living pnilosopny and
advooatos or tno numan rignts o, and sorvioos or, pooplo witn disabilitios to urtnor tnoir ull intogration
and partioipation in sooioty. Sorvioos inoludo advooaoy, oounsoling, training, inormation and roorral, and
otnors. NCL supports nousing tnat rohoots our prinoiplos o: oross.disability, oqual aoooss, oonsumor oontrol,
intogration, non.disorimination, and do.linking nousing and sorvioos, wnion moans, a porson witn a disability
snould not navo to roooivo sorvioos in ordor to obtain nousing. NCL's nousing suboommittoo nas oousod
on onsuring tno availability o aooossiblo, aordablo nousing, and applying prossuro on tno Oopartmont o
Housing and Urban Oovolopmont or moro aggrossivo onoroomont and rosponsivonoss to oonoorns o
stakonoldors witn disabilitios.
Contact
Tno National Counoil on ndopondont Living
1710 Pnodo sland Avonuo Nortnwost
Fitn Floor
Wasnington, OC 20036
Tol: 202.207.0334, Toll roo: 877.525.3400
Fax: 202.207.0341
www.noil.org
Telephone Services
FCC Universal Service Program for Low.Income Consumers
Tno low.inoomo program providos disoounts on tolopnono installation and montnly tolopnono sorvioo to qualiy-
ing oonsumors. Tno low.inoomo program is ono o tno oompononts o tno FCCs Univorsal Sorvioo Fund, wnion
is administorod by tnoUnivorsal Sorvioo Administrativo Company (USAC), is dosignod to onsuro tnat quality tolo-
oommunioations sorvioos aro availablo to low.inoomo oustomors at |ust, roasonablo, and aordablo ratos. Tnoro
aro two programs availablo to qualihod low.inoomo oonsumors:
Link.Up Amorioa nolps oonsumors witn tolopnono installation oosts.
Liolino providos disoounts on montnly tolopnono sorvioo.
Additional disoounts aro availablo to qualihod subsoribors living on tribal lands. You oan road moro about tno
program oligibility oritoria in tno FCC's Univorsal Sorvioo Program or Low.noomo Consumors (nttp://transition.
oo.gov/wob/tapd/univorsal_sorvioo/lowinoomo.ntml)
16
Liolino Supportlowors tno oost o basio, montnly looal tolopnono sorvioo. An oligiblo oustomor may roooivo
tno Liolino disoount on oitnor a wiro lino or wiroloss oonnootion, but tno disoount is availablo or only ono
tolopnono oonnootion por nousonold. (www.oo.gov/guidos/liolino.and.link.aordablo.tolopnono.sorvioo.inoomo.
oligiblo.oonsumors)
Contact
Gonoral nquirios
Univorsal Sorvioo Administrativo Company
2000 L Stroot, NW, Suito 200
Wasnington, OC 20036
Tol: 202.776.0200
Fax: 202.776.0080
Local phone companies
Tnoy will gonorally oxtond your sorvioo or 30 days i you aro not oligiblo or odoral or stato programs and you
aro unablo to pay your tolopnono bill. Your pnysioian must oall tno sorvioo roprosontativo and ollow up witn
writton vorihoation o your illnoss witnin sovon days. tno illnoss oontinuos, you must ropoat tnis proooss.
Gonorally, you will bo rosponsiblo or all ovorduo onargos onoo you aro no longor ill. Cnook tno tolopnono
book or tno numbor o your looal roprosontativo.
Heat and Electricity
Federal Programs
Tno two primary souroos o onorgy or low.inoomo nousonolds aro Low.noomo Homo Enorgy Assistanoo
Program (LHEAP) /www.ao.nns.gov/programs/oos/linoap/) and tno Woatnorization Assistanoo Program
/www.waptao.org/0. Tnoy botn aro administorod tnrougn tno US Oopartmont o Hoaltn and Human Sorvioos.
LHEAPis a odorally.undod program to assist low inoomo nousonolds, partioularly tnoso witn tno lowost
inoomos tnat pay a nign proportion o nousonold inoomo or nomo onorgy, primarily in mooting tnoir immodiato
nomo onorgy noods.
To inquiro about LHEAP assistanoo, tno gonoral publio snould uso tno publio inquiry tolopnono numbor i
availablo or tnoir Stato. Tnat numbor may provido tno publio witn inormation about tno Stato's program muon
quiokor tnan tno LHEAP agonoy numbor. For your stato LHEAP Ohoo listing, Soo Appondix 3.
TnoWAPwas oroatod in 1976 to assist low.inoomo amilios wno laokod rosouroos to invost in onorgy ohoionoy.
WAP is oporatod in all 50 statos, tno Oistriot o Columbia, Nativo Amorioan tribal lands and U.S. Torritorios.
Funds aro usod to improvo tno onorgy ohoionoy o low.inoomo nomos using tno most advanood toonnologios
and tosting protoools availablo in tno nousing industry. Ootails on tno program oan bo ound on tno WAP
wobsito: www1.ooro.onorgy.gov/wip/wap.ntml
National Fuel Funds Network (NFFN)
Tnis notwork oonsists o ovor 300 organizational mombors, rom small onorgy banks to largo utility programs,
to inoroaso onorgy assistanoo availablo, partioularly onarity onorgy assistanoo.
17
Contact
NFFN
1010 vormont Avo., NW, Suito 718
Wasnington OC, 20005.
Tol: 203.824.0660
www.nationaluolunds.org/Momborsnip/momborindox.ntml
Noto: Your gas and/or olootrio oompany oannot snut o your powor i you or a mombor o your nousonold
nas a sorious illnoss and hnanoial nardsnip. Eaon stato nas dioront roquiromonts, but your pnysioian must
oortiy tno illnoss in writing.
tno utility oompany rousos to protoot your aooounts rom snut o, oontaot your Stato Oopartmont o Enorgy
Consumor Oivision immodiatoly.
Food and Nutrition
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP, ormorly known as tno odoralFood Stamp Program,nolps low.inoomo pooplo and amilios buy tno ood
tnoy nood or good noaltn.You(11-2or bonoits by oomploting a Stato applioation orm.Bonoits aro providod
on an olootronio oard tnat is usod liko an ATM oard and aoooptod at most grooory storos.
For a Iist of state ofces, see Appendix 4: SuppIementaI Nutrition Assistance Program Ofces or visit the
website: www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contact_info/hotIines.htm
Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Program
WCprovidos nutritious oods to supplomont diots, inormation on noaltny oating, and roorrals to noaltn oaro.
WC oods inoludo iron.ortiiod inant ormula and ooroal, iron.ortiiod adult ooroal, vitamin.C rion ruit, and/or
vogotablo |uioo, oggs, milk, onooso, poanut buttor, driod boans or poas, tuna isn, and oarrots.
To apply to bo a WC partioipant, you will nood to oontaot your Stato or looal agonoy to sot up an appointmont.
Cnook out yourStato's wobsito, nttp://www.ns.usda.gov/wio/Contaots/statoalpna.HTM, or oall tno toll.roo
numbor ound in Appondix 5. Wnon you oall to sot up an appointmont, somoono will toll you tno looation
noarost your nomo and wnat you nood to bring witn you.
Emergency Services
Emergency Food and Shelter Programs (EFS)
Applioants to Emorgonoy Food and Snoltor Programs must snow ovidonoo o a prooipitating ovont tnat oausod
tno omorgonoy. Tnoso programs provido assistanoo to any noody individual wno nas roooivod a notioo o
oroolosuro, oviotion, or tormination o utility sorvioos i tno ability to pay is oompromisod booauso o a suddon
roduotion in inoomo. EFS oan provido ront/mortgago assistanoo and supplomontal utility assistanoo, but tnis is a
ono.timo.only oor. Tnoso programs do not supplomont SS, Aid to Family witn Oopondont Cnildron (AFOC),
or otnor publio assistanoo programs. Altnougn oritoria dior rom stato to stato, somo o tno oommon itoms aro:
You must provido tno basio proo o ooonomio situation and amily oomposition
Tno agonoy will givo you tno amount wnion is roquirod and appropriato to tno oaso
You must navo nad a vorihablo ooonomio or porsonal orisis
Tno agonoy will not pay i you aro paying moro tnan 75% o your inoomo on ront and navo no prospoots
or inoroasod inoomo
18
Tno agonoy will not pay ront i you do not navo a rogular inoomo or prospoot or ono
Tno agonoy doos not assist pooplo wno aro in a onronio situation
ModestNeeds.Org
Tnis organization promotos tno sol.suhoionoy o low.inoomo workors by nolping tnom to aord snort.torm,
omorgonoy oxponsos. ModostNoods oors grants to low.inoomo but gonorally sol.suhoiont pooplo. Tno
grants aro dosignod to provont otnorwiso hnanoially sol.suhoiont pooplo and amilios rom ontoring tno oyolo
o povorty, to rostoro tno hnanoial sol.suhoionoy o tnoso wno aro willing to work but tomporarily unomployod,
and to ompowor pormanontly disadvantagod pooplo wno otnorwiso livo witnin tnoir limitod moans i tnoy
suor an unoxpootod hnanoial sotbaok. For inormation on grant oligibility and applioation proooss, ploaso
oall 212.463.7042 or visit tno wobsito www.modostnoods.org.
Other information
Get a donated car
Tnis takos somo logwork but it mignt pay o. Sovoral onarity organization tako oaro donations and altnougn
somo soll tnom outrignt or tno oasn, otnors do pass tnom on to noody individuals (battorod womon, amilios
transitioning rom publio assistanoo, pooplo witn disabilitios, oto). Your bost bot is to oonduot rosoaron onlino,
boginning witn tno link bolow. Also, oontaot your looal Goodwill ohoo and, i you bolong to a onuron, ask tnoro as
woll. For moro inormation visit tnis wobsito: www.onow.oom/now_5011948_donatod.oar.ntml
19
PART 4: SERVICE AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS
Service Organizations
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
AAPP voluntoors oduoato oldor porsons witn limitod inoomos and rosouroos about odoral, stato, looal and
privato bonohts programs and sorvioos. To soo i tnoro is an AAPP onaptor in your town, uso tnoonlino onaptor
looator at www.aarp.org/statos
AAPP Tax.Aido(nttp://www.aarp.org/monoy/taxos/aarp_taxaido/ )is tno nation's largost roo, voluntoor.run tax
assistanoo and proparation sorvioo availablo to taxpayors witn low. and modorato.inoomo, witn spooial attontion
to tnoso agod 60 and oldor.
Contact
AAPP Community Notworks
601 E St. NW
Wasnington, OC 20049
Toll roo: 888.687.2277
Email:onaptors@aarp.org
American Red Cross
Amorioan Pod Cross onaptors provido sorvioos tnat nolp targotod groups witnin tno oommunity bo saor,
noaltnior, and moro sol.roliant. Somo programs inoludo:
transportation to modioal appointmonts and otnor ossontial trips
ood pantry and not lunon programs
nomoloss snoltors and transitional nousing sorvioos
ood and rontal assistanoo
Contaot yourlooal Amorioan Pod Cross onaptor (nttp://www.rodoross.org/on/wnoro) to hnd out tno oommunity
sorvioos tnoy oor. tnoy do not oor tno sorvioos you nood, tnoy may bo ablo to roor you to otnor looal
agonoios tnat provido tno sorvioo.
American Red Cross Homeless Shelters
n addition to a oloan bod and a not moal, somo snoltors oor lio skill dovolopmont assistanoo inoluding budgot
dovolopmont, paronting olassos, oounsoling, and support groups. Transitional nousing programs allow or moro
in.doptn assistanoo, or poriods o up to a yoar.
Contact
Amorioan Pod Cross National Hoadquartors
2025 E Stroot, NW
Wasnington, OC 20006
Tol: 202.303.4498
www.rodoross.org/portal/sito/on/monuitom.d8aaoo214o576b971o4oo43181aa0/?vgnoxtoid=4d51a531o37110
vgnvCM1000003481a10aPCPO&vgnoxtmt=doault
20
Goodwill Industries International, Inc.
Goodwill ndustrios is Nortn Amorioa's loading nonproht providor o oduoation, training, and oaroor sorvioos
or pooplo witn disadvantagos, suon as wolaro dopondonoy, nomolossnoss, and laok o oduoation or work
oxporionoo, as woll as tnoso witn pnysioal, montal and omotional disabilitios.
Contact
Goodwill ndustrios ntornational, no.
15810 ndianola Orivo
Pookvillo, MO 20855
Tol: 301.530.6500
Email:oontaotus@goodwill.org
Wobsito: www.goodwill.org
Faith-Based Organizations
Catholic Charities USA
Catnolio Cnaritios USA is tno nation's largost privato numan sorvioo notwork. ts agonoios and institutions
nationwido provido vital sooial sorvioos to pooplo in nood, rogardloss o tnoir roligious, sooial, or ooonomio
baokgrounds. Your looal onaptor oan provido sorvioos suon as ront and mortgago assistanoo, ood, and otnor
sorvioos. you aro looking or individual assistanoo, or navo quostions about programs, sorvioos, |obs, or
voluntoor opportunitios at Catnolio Cnaritios agonoios, oontaot your looalCatnolio Cnaritios agonoy.
Contact
Catnolio Cnaritios USA
Sixty.Six Canal Contor Plaza, Suito 600
Aloxandria, vA 22314
Tol: 703.549.1390
Fax: 703.549.1656
Email:ino@oatnolioonaritiosusa.org
Wobsito: www.oatnolioonaritiosusa.org
Lutheran Services in America (LSA)
LSA is an allianoo o tno Evangolioal Lutnoran Cnuron in Amorioa, tno Lutnoran Cnuron.Missouri Synod, and
tnoir rolatod sooial ministry organizations, and tnoir noarly 300 noaltn and numan sorvioo organizations.
Contact
LSA National Hoadquartors
700 Lignt Stroot
Baltimoro, MO 21230-3850
Tol: 800.664.3848
Fax: 410.230.2710
Email:lsa@lutnoransorvioos.org
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Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Tno Sooioty o St. vinoont do Paul is a Catnolio lay organization tnat loads mon and womon to grow spiritually
by ooring porson.to.porson sorvioo to tnoso wno aro noody and suoring. Sorvioos inoludo ood programs,
omorgonoy hnanoial assistanoo, ront/mortgago assistanoo, nolp witn low.oost nousing, nolp witn low.oost or
roo prosoription drugs.
To soouro assistanoo, oontaot tno noarost Catnolio Cnuron in your oommunity and ask i tnoy navo a Sooioty o
St. vinoont do Paul Conoronoo in tnoir parisn or know o ono in tno vioinity. Or, look or "Sooioty o St. vinoont
do Paul" in your looal Wnito Pagos. To hnd tno Oistriot or Oiooosan Counoil olosost to you, go to www.svdp.org
PART 5: PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Pharmaceutical Assistance
Tnoro aro sovoral pationt assistanoo programs (PAP) dosignod to nolp low.inoomo pooplo witn limitod or no
prosoription drug oovorago. Stato and govornmont programs oor disoounts and subsidios, and most pnarma-
ooutioal manuaoturors navo pationt assistanoo programs tnat provido roo drugs to tnoso wno qualiy. Tnoroin
lios tno rub: a koy qualihor is tnat drugs aro only disponsod or modioation i it is boing usod witnin tno Fodoral
Orug Administration's approvod indioation (i.o., "on labol"). Many pooplo witn CPPS roly on "o.labol" usos o
modioations. Still, it is wortn onooking into. At tno vory loast, you mignt got a substantial roduotion in tno prioo.
A noto about opioids:Most manuaoturors navo romovod tnoso drugs rom tnoir pationt assistanoo plans.
Purduo Pnarma, LP, manuaoturor o OxyContin
3
, is tno oxooption. Your pnysioian must oall Purduo Pnarma
(800.599.6070) and roquost an applioation or you. You must provido oopios o your inoomo tax roturn and
ovidonoo o your montnly oxponsos, but wnon it is all said and dono, it is possiblo to got tno drug roo o
onargo. Tno drug will bo disponsod by your pnysioian. Howovor, Purduo Pnarma will not disponso drugs to
tnoso individuals wno aro in tno Modioaro Part O donut nolo.
Watch Out For Scams! No Need to Pay for Information on Free (or Low.Cost) Rx Drugs
Somo markotors aro using spam omail and tno Wob to oor inormation on roo or low.oost prosoription drug
programs or a oo, somotimos as muon as $195. Stay away rom any oompany tnat onargos or inormation on
roo or low.oost prosoription drug programs. you'ro trying to got roo or low.oost prosoription drugs, you don't
navo to pay or inormation on now to do it. You |ust navo to know wnoro to look. Tno inormation is roo and
publioly availablo rom your pnysioian, pnarmaoists, and tno govornmont.
A drug oompany trado group sponsors a "ono stop" wobsito at www.nolpingpationts.org. Tno sito providos
inormation on pationt assistanoo programs or oonsumors wno don't navo prosoription drug oovorago.
ndustry and govornmont pationt assistanoo programs oor an ostimatod 1,000 modioinos to troat a varioty
o disoasos and oonditions, inoluding oanoor, nign onolostorol, diabotos, nign blood prossuro, stroko,
doprossion, sonizopnronia, and Alznoimor's.
You oan apply or roo or low.oost prosoription programs or modioinos on tno wobsito, or you oan ask your noaltn
oaro providor to do it or you. A oomputor program dotorminos wnotnor tnoro mignt bo a maton or you among
tno various programs. Hoaltn oaro providors must approvo most applioations or tnoso assistanoo programs.
Additionally, www.aooosstobonohts.org is a wobsito witn inormation on many programs to nolp soniors and
pooplo witn disabilitios roduoo tnoir prosoription drug oosts. Tno sito is sponsorod by a ooalition o organizations
22
sorving Modioaro bonohoiarios. Tnoso programs oor tno most nolp i you don't navo otnor prosoription drug
oovorago and i your inoomo is limitod.
Finally, you oan aoooss tno odoral govornmont's Modioaro inormation at www.modioaro.gov or by oalling
1.800.MEOCAPE.
Tno ollowing inormation is providod as a sorvioo only. PSOSA doos not ondorso any o tnoso programs.
National Organization of Rare Diseases (NORD) Medication Assistance Programs
Tnrougn tno NOPO Pationt Assistanoo Program, oligiblo pationts aro providod witn oost.roo modioations.
For inormation about tno programs listod www.rarodisoasos.org/pationts.and.amilios/pationt.assistanoo, uso
tno oontaot inormation assooiatod witn tnat partioular program or omail pationtassistanoo@rarodisoasos.org.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA)
Tno PPA nolps qualiying pationts witnout prosoription drug oovorago got tno modioinos tnoy nood or roo or
noarly roo. Tnoir mission is to inoroaso awaronoss o pationt assistanoo programs and boost onrollmont o tnoso
wno aro oligiblo, and oor a singlo point o aoooss to moro tnan 475 publio and privato programs, inoluding
noarly 200 oorod by pnarmaooutioal oompanios.
To hnd out i you qualiy or roo or disoountod drugs, oall toll.roo 888.477.2669 or visit www.pparx.org, and
oliok on tno lot nand box or pationts. You will bo askod to ontor tno modioations you nood and porsonal
inormation (ago, inoomo, insuranoo oovorago) to dotormino i you qualiy.
Web-only Resources
BeneftsCheckUp
Tnis organization providos pooplo 55 yoars and oldor witn a roport o publio and privato programs to nolp
tnom savo monoy on prosoription drugs. t also oan nolp you hnd nolp witn ront, proporty taxos, noating bills,
moals, and otnor noods. For moro inormation on BonohtsCnookUp, visit tnowww.bonohtsonookup.org %)
*4(#- oommonts@bonohtsonookup.org.
NeedyMeds
A national nonproht tnat nas inormation on programs tnat nolp pooplo wno oan't aord tnoir modioations and
noaltn oaro oosts, NoodyMods nas data on ovor 2,400 programs and noarly 11,000 roo/low.oost/sliding.soalo
olinios. All our data is roo, oasy to aoooss, and updatod rogularly.
NoodyMods also oors a roo drug disoount oard tnat's aoooptod at noarly 60,000 pnarmaoios. Anyono oan
uso tno oard rogardloss o inoomo lovol, insuranoo status, ago or rosidonoy. Tno oard oors a disoount ranging
rom notning to 75% on prosoription drugs, ovor.tno.oountor drugs, and modioal supplios wnon writton on a
prosoription orm, and got prosoription drugs puronasod at a pnarmaoy. Tno avorago savings is 50%. Tno oard
is roo and tnoro is no rogistration proooss or oost. Tno oard oan bo downloadod romwww.noodymods.org
23
RxHope
PxHopo is a roo wob.basod sorvioo tnat nolps prosoribors and pationt advooatos apply, obtain, and traok
roquosts or no oost modioation or pationts wno aro unablo to aord tnom and wno navo no aoooss to
prosoription insuranoo or govornmont.undod programs. Tnoy oan nolp idontiy:
Fodoral, stato and onaritablo agonoios tnat navo pationt assistanoo programs
Ways to rogistor on tno ntornot
How to navigato tno Orug normation Contor, Stato and Fodoral Assistanoo Programs,
Hoaltn oaro Links, and Pnarmaooutioal Company Links
Contact
PxHopo
P.O. Box 5836
Somorsot, NJ 08875
Pnono: 732.507.7400 (Monday tnrougn Friday, 8:00 am to 7:00 pm EST)
Fax: 732.507.7600
Email:CustomorSorvioo@PxHopo.oom
www.rxnopo.oom
Rx Outreach
Px Outroaon is managod by Expross Soripts Spooialty Oistribution Sorvioos, no. (ESSOS), a ully-lioonsod
mail ordor pnarmaoy tnat is oommittod to making tno uso o prosoription drugs saor and moro aordablo.
Px Outroaon is not a prosoription insuranoo program nor an ntornot pnarmaoy.
Contact
Customor Sorvioo: 800.769.3880
(Monday tnrougn Friday, 7:00 am to 5:30 pm CST)
Email:rxoutroaon@oxpross.soripts.oom
www.rxoutroaon.oom/
Workers Comp Rx
A pnarmaoy sorvioo or in|urod workors witn opon olaims providos modioations witn no out-o-pookot oosts.
Contact
Workors Comp Px
Toll.roo: 888.2COMPPX (888.226.6779)
www.workorsoomprx.oom
Other Assistance Programs
Brad Jenkins Patient Assistance Fund
Tnis und was ostablisnod |ointly by PSOSA and tno Jonkins Family in momory o tnoir son Brad.
Tno und is dosignod to nolp individuals witn Complox Pogional Pain Syndromo witn somo o tno hnanoial
oosts assooiatod witn living witn tnis syndromo. ndividuals may inquiro about applying or a grant by sonding
an omail to ino@rsds.org or by oalling 877.662.7737.
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Eldercare Locator
Eldoroaro Looator is a publio sorvioo o tno US Administration on Aging tnat oonnoots you to sorvioos or
oldor adults and tnoir amilios. normation is availablo on topios suon as oldor abuso provontion, hnanoial
assistanoo, noaltn insuranoo, nousing option, logal assistanoo, transportation, and muon moro. You oan oall
tnom at 800.677.1116 or visit tno wobsito at www.oldoroaro.gov.
Healthwell Foundation
Hoaltnwoll Foundation
3
is a 501(o)(3) non-proht organization ostablisnod in 2003 tnat is oommittod to addross-
ing tno noods o individuals witn insuranoo wno oannot aord tnoir oopaymonts, ooinsuranoo, and promiums or
important modioal troatmonts. Tnoy do not oovor pain nor CPPS, but tnoy do oovor otnor disoasos. Cnook tnoir
wobsito or spooihos at www.noaltnwolloundation.org.
you don't navo noaltn insuranoo, talk to your pnysioian. Many aro willing to nogotiato and may oor you a
disoount. Talk dirootly witn tno pnysioian, not tno nurso or ohoo sta.
Assistive Devices
Easter Seals
Somo onaptors o tno Eastor Soal Sooioty provido roo wnoolonairs and otnor oquipmont liko walkors,
oommodos, batntub rails, orutonos, transor bononos, olootrio wnoolonairs, and soootors on a snort-or
long-torm basis. Contaot your looal onaptor or tno national ohoo.
Contact
Eastor Soals
230 Wost Monroo Stroot, Suito 1800
Cnioago, L 60606
Tol: 312.726.6200
TTY: 312.726.4258
Fax: 312.726.1494
Toll Froo: 800.221.6827
www.oastorsoals.oom/sito/PagoSorvor?pagonamo=ntl_nomopago
New England Assistive Technology (NEAT) Resource & Education Center
Tnis Hartord, Connootiout.basod organization was ormod to provido inormation and aoooss to oquipmont and
dovioos tnat oan onango tno livos o pooplo o all agos, witn all typos o disabilitios, botn tomporary and pormanont.
Contact
Now England Assistivo Toonnology Markotplaoo
120 Holoomb Stroot
Hartord, CT 06112
Toll Froo in Connootiout: 866.526.4492
Hartord aroa: 860.243.2869
Email:ino@noatmarkotplaoo.org
www.noatmarkotplaoo.org
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Silver Cross
Tnis roo inormation sorvioo oan nolp you hnd rooyolod or now, low.priood produots, inoluding: stair lits, ooiling
lits, nomo olovators, inolino wnoolonairs/lits, pationt lits, vortioal wnoolonair lits, batn lits, soootor lits, olootrio
soootors, olootrio wnoolonairs, lit onairs and nospital bods.
Contact
Tol: 800.572.9310
www.silvoroross.oom
The Wheelchair Foundation
Tno Wnoolonair Foundation is a nonproht organization loading an intornational oort to oroato awaronoss o
tno noods and abilitios o pooplo witn pnysioal disabilitios, to promoto tno |oy o giving, oroato global riondsnip,
and to dolivor a wnoolonair to ovory onild, toon and adult in tno world wno noods ono, but oannot aord ono.
For tnoso pooplo, tno Wnoolonair Foundation dolivors Hopo, Mobility and ndopondonoo.
Contact
3820 Blaoknawk Poad
Oanvillo, Caliornia 94506
Tol: 877.378.3839
Nortn Amorioa: 925.736.8234
Fax: 925.648.0163
Email:ino@wnoolonairoundation.org
www.wnoolonairoundation.org
Health Services and Insurance
Health Assistance Partnership (HAP)
HAP works witnStato Hoaltn nsuranoo Assistanoo Programs (SHPs) oninitiativos tnat dovolop tno rosouroos
and oapaoity nooossary to dolivor oduoation and porsonalizod oounsoling and assistanoo to Modioaro
bonohoiarios, so tnoy oan mako inormod noaltn oaro dooisions.
Contact
Hoaltn Assistanoo Partnorsnip
1201 Now York Avonuo, NW
Suito 1100
Wasnington, OC 20005
Tol: 202.737.6340
Fax: 202.737.8583
Email:snipnolp@napnotwork.org
www.noaltnassistanoopartnorsnip.org
Patient Advocate Foundation
(www.pationtadvooato.org)
Pationt Advooato Foundation was oundod in 1996 witn tno primary purposo o providing modiation and
arbitration sorvioos to pationts, providors, amily mombors and oarogivors o tnoso doaling witn signihoant
modioal issuos and tno impaot on tnoir livos. Tnis is an oxoollont rosouroo. Produots inoludo tno:
26
National Undorinsurod Posouroo Oirootory (nttp://pationtadvooato.org/nolp4u.pnp).
Tnis dirootory is intondod to nolp undorinsurod individuals and amilios looato rosouroos and sook
altornativo oovorago options or motnods or bottor roimbursomont. Tnis is an onlino dirootory.
National Finanoial Posouroo Oirootory nolps sort rosouroos or a broad rango o noods inoluding
nousing, utilitios, ood, transportation, modioal troatmont, nomo noaltn oaro, modioal dovioos, and
pnarmaooutioal agonts.
Co.pay rolio program providos diroot hnanoial assistanoo to insurod pationts wno moot oortain
qualihoations to nolp tnom pay or tno prosoriptions and/or troatmonts tnoy nood. Eligiblo pationts
must bo insurod and insuranoo must oovor tno modioation or wnion pationt sooks assistanoo; Pationt
must navo a vorihod diagnosis o Pain; Pationt must rosido and roooivo troatmont in tno Unitod Statos.;
(&5 tno Pationt's inoomo must all bolow 500% o tno Fodoral Povorty Lovol. Tno maximum award
lovol is $1,500 por yoar.
Hospital Care
Finding A Free Clinic
you nood to soo a dootor but oannot aord ono, a roo or low.oost olinio may bo ablo to nolp you. Koop in
mind tnat all roo olinios navo oligibility rulos or pationts: typioally roo olinios soo only pationts wno navo low
inoomo and wno do not navo insuranoo or tno troatmont noodod. Ooponding upon tnoir oligibility rulos, not all
olinios will bo ablo to troat you. Howovor, tnoro may bo somo hoxibility witn tno oligibility rulos, so ovon i you
tnink you do not qualiy it may still bo wortn oalling tno olinio to ask about your situation. Somotimos tno oaro at
a roo olinio is not oomplotoly roo; tnoro may bo a small onargo, doponding upon any inoomo you navo. n
addition, roo olinios aro not always ablo to provido oaro or oomplioatod oonditions liko CPPS, but tnoy still
may bo o at loast somo assistanoo.
You may bo ablo to hnd a roo olinio tnrougn your looal pnono books or on tno ntornot. You may nood to try moro
tnan ono wobsito booro you hnd a olinio to nolp you as not all tno wobsitos navo oomploto lists.
You oan also oontaot onaritios in your aroa (suon asTno Salvation Army%) Catnolio Cnaritios) to soo i tnoy oor
any noaltn oaro sorvioos.
Find a Health Center
HPSA.supportod noaltn oontors oaro or you, ovon i you navo no noaltn insuranoo. You pay wnat you oan aord,
basod on your inoomo. Hoaltn oontors aro in most oitios and many rural aroas. For moro inormation visit
www.hndanoaltnoontor.nrsa.gov/Soaron_HCC.aspx
Hill.Burton Program
Part o tno Hoaltn Posouroos and Sorvioos Administration (HPSA) administorod by tno Oopartmont o Hoaltn and
Human Sorvioos, tnoHill.Burton program oors roo or low.oost noaltn oaro in soloot nospitals around tno ooun-
try. n addition, many noaltn aoilitios aro roquirod to givo noaltn oaro to somo pooplo wno oannot aord to pay.
Tno Hill.Burton program nas a toll.roo notlino (800.638.0742); oalls aro primarily roooivod rom individuals wno
navo inourrod modioal bills tnat tnoy aro unablo to pay or wno aro ourrontly in nood o modioal sorvioos or wnion
tnoy aro unablo to pay. n addition, tno notlino roooivos oalls rom nospitals and otnor noaltn oaro providors,
voluntary organizations, stato and looal govornmont agonoios, tno nows modia and otnors.
27
For gonoral inormation rogarding tno program, oontaot tno Oivision o Faoilitios Complianoo and Pooovory
at 800.638.0742 or visit nttp://www.nrsa.gov/gotnoaltnoaro/aordablo/nillburton/nillburton.pd.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) database of federally.funded health centers
The Remote Area Medical