NATIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE RESOURCES

ALLSUP    1-800 -279-4357  Advocates to help navigate SSDI application and benefits. Will help with application and appeals, and monthly follow up with SS during the process. You pay only when approved. (We have brochures available in VAF office.)

BENEFITS CHECK UP   1-800-794-6559  Enter your zip code to learn what programs can help with Medications, Healthcare, Income Assistance, Housing & Utilities, Tax Relief, and more. (Info in English and Spanish)

CANCERCARE   1-800-813-4673   Free counseling phone line, free educational materials , including Talking to Children About Cancer, financial assistance for transportation. Copay assistance. English and Spanish.

CANCER COALITION (CFAC)  Online only.  Coalition of organizations helping cancer patients manage their financial challenges. Online only. Financial Assistance.

CARE CREDIT  1-800-677-0718   Healthcare credit card. Accepted by many dental and vision care offices, as well as outpatient surgical centers.

COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP   Enter your county for the local phone number. Senior services, homemaker services, transportation services, emergency rent and mortgage assistance for low income families.

FAMILY REACH  1-973-394-1411   National organization providing financial assistance to families in current active treatment for cancer. When funds are available, they offer grants to help cover non-medical expenses, including mortgage/rent payments, utilities, groceries, and transportation.  Website will indicate what funds are open. Patient or social worker may apply.

HEALTHWELL FOUNDATION   1-800-675-8416  Prescription assistance and possible insurance premium assistance.

LIVESTRONG  1-855-220-7777  Provides support, disease education, nutrition, fitness for cancer patients.

MODEST NEEDS   1-844-667-3776   Provides emergency Self Sufficiency grants to low income workers (and those living on social security retirement) who are faced with an unexpected emergency expense (i.e. medical expenses, auto repair, replacing major appliance, etc.) that poses a hardship. See income guidelines on website. 

NEED HELP PAYING BILLS  Click on Pennsylvania, then choose topic from list to find assistance with rent, food, mortgage assistance, telephone, heat, free dental clinics.

NORD National Organization for Rare Disorders.  Provides education, support, and patient assistance programs to help individuals living with rare diseases.  Since they support many diagnoses, it would be good to list NORD here as well as place NORD under the Disease Specific Support tab right in the beginning: ACS, CancerCare, Livestrong, NORD.

PATIENT ADVOCATE FOUNDATION  1-800-532-5274  National resource directory for financial assistance for insured and underinsured cancer patients.  Co-pay relief assistance. 

SAFELINK WIRELESS  1-800-SAFELINK  Free cell phones.  Lifeline Supported service, a government benefit program for eligible customers. 

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY  1-800-772-1213  

UNITED WAY  Simply dial 211 for assistance with food, shelter, and paying bills.

Vital Options   800-518-2354  Apply for a Selma Schimmel Vital Grant online. The grant program will assist those facing a significant financial hardship due to the diagnosis of a chronic, terminal or rare condition such as cancer, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s Disease and many others.