This page lists by topic area a collection of organizations, journals, and online resources that provide information about treatment, support, or services for people with disabilities, as well as their families and professionals who support them.
On this page:
- Benefits.
- Health Insurance, Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security.
- Prescription Assistance.
- Private, Non-profit Lenders and Fundraising Assistance.
- Utility and Nutrition Assistance.
Benefits
- Benefits Check-Up.
Helps thousands of people every day to connect to government programs that can help them pay for prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other needs. Benefits Check-Up is a service of the National Council on Aging.
- Disability Benefits 101 (DB101) – Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Ohio Only.
Assists workers, job seekers and service providers to understand the connections between work and benefits. DB101 brings together the rules for health coverage, benefits, and employment programs that people with disabilities use.
- USA.gov.
USA.gov provides information on government programs that may help you pay for food, housing, health care, and other basic living expenses.
Toll Free: (800) 333-4636.- Ask USA.gov a question: (844) USAGOV1 (844-872-4681); available Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8 pm ET, except federal holidays.
Health Insurance, Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
CMS is the federal agency that provides health coverage to more than 160 million through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Health Insurance Marketplace. CMS works in partnership with the entire health care community to improve quality and outcomes in the health care system.
Toll Free: (877) 267-2323 (V), (866) 226-1819 (TTY), (410) 786-3000 (V), (410) 786-0727 (TTY). - National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Assisting state insurance regulators, individually and collectively, in serving the public interest and achieving the following fundamental insurance regulatory goals in a responsive, efficient and cost effective manner, consistent with the wishes of its members: Protect the public interest; promote competitive markets; facilitate the fair and equal treatment of insurance consumers; promote the reliability, solvency and financial solidity of insurance institutions; and support and improve state regulation of insurance.
Phone: (816) 842-3600; Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. CST. - Social Security Administration (SSA).
SSA administers retirement, disability, survivor, and family benefits, and enroll individuals in Medicare. They also provide Social Security Numbers, which are unique identifiers needed to work, handle financial transactions, and determine eligibility for certain government services.
Toll Free: (800) 772-1213.- A Desktop Guide to SSI Eligibility Requirements. Information about SSI Requirements, Definitions, Exclusions, and more.
- Social Security Administration: An online appeals process.
- Social Security Fraud (to report) Toll Free Fraud Hotline: (800) 269-0271 (V), (866) 201-2101 (TTY). Available 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. EST.
- Understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through SSA: An Introduction to SSI, including what SSI is and who can apply to get SSI.
- State Consumer Protection Offices.
Search for your State’s Consumer Protection Office.
Prescription Assistance
- NeedyMeds.
Online resource for discount/free medications directly from the manufacturer. Provides a directory programs that drug companies have that offer free or reduced rates on prescription medications to individuals who have no insurance and qualify for their programs.
Helpline: (800) 503-6897.
Email: info@needymeds.org.
- Patient Access Network Foundation (PANF).
PANF provides financial support for out-of-pocket health care costs associated with a range of drugs to treat several conditions.
Contact form.
- RxAssist: Patient Assistance Program Center.
Patient assistance programs are run by pharmaceutical companies to provide free medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine. RxAssist provides a comprehensive database of these patient assistance programs, as well as practical tools, news, and articles for health care professionals and patients.
Private, Non-profit Lenders and Fundraising Assistance
These resources are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of services. Additionally, we do not guarantee eligibility for the following services. Please contact the listed organizations to learn more about their eligibility requirements.
- Help Hope Live.
Help Hope Live supports community-based fundraising for people with unmet medical and related expenses due to cell and organ transplants or catastrophic injuries and illnesses throughout the country. They help with the application process and with the fundraising campaign.
Toll free: (800) 642-8399.
- Hunter's Hope Foundation.
Hunter's Hope Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to giving hope through education and awareness, research, and family care for leukodystrophies and newborn screening for every child. Morgan's Legacy Gift Program supports families with a gift of up to $1,000 for something that will enhance their quality of life and provide "tools" to help a parent and child.
Telephone: (716) 667-1200.
Email: info@huntershope.org.
- Lending Club.
Lending Club is an online lending community where people can borrow and lend money, bypass the banks, and get better rates. Uses the proprietary technology called LendingMatch™ which helps match lenders with borrowers using connections established through social networks, associations, and online communities, and build diversified portfolios based on lender preferences. (Reliable Internet Access Required.)
- Modest Needs.
Modest Needs is a charitable organization reaching out to the people who conventional philanthropy has forgotten. They offer three grants: self-sufficiency, back-to-work, and independent living. Grants are funded by donors who invest (donate), they review the request ledger and offer investment points. Modestneeds.org has employment and income requirements which are explained during the application process. (Reliable Internet Access Required.) - Prosper.
A peer-to-peer lending organization cutting out the middleman to connect people who need money with those who have money to invest. (Reliable Internet Access Required.)
Telephone: (866) 615-6319; Monday to Friday, 5 am - 5 pm PT.
Email: support@prospect.com.
Utility and Nutrition Assistance
- Administration for Children and Families Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
LIHEAP helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs. LIHEAP provides federally funded assistance to reduce the costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs.
- Financial Assistance Resources from MedlinePlus.
Provides information on financial assistance, including research.
- Lifeline Support.
Helps eligible participants to pay for internet and phone bills.
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
WIC provides supplemental foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, referrals, and access to health and social services, to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
Telephone: (202) 720-2791.
- SNAP State Directory of Resources.
Provides a clickable map that provides information and contacts for local SNAP offices within each state.
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
TANF provides grant funds to states and territories to provide families with financial assistance and related support services. State-administered programs may include childcare assistance, job preparation, and work assistance.