There is help available for patients who need financial help with bills for medicine, medical equipment, rent, food, utilities and more.

Most patient are unaware that these resources are available.

HERE ARE SOME QUICK REFERENCES:

*FOR ANY TYPE OF EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE NEEDS (rent, clothing, food, utilities, phone, etc.)

Society of St. Vincent de Paul - www.svdpusa.org. To find a local conference, call (314) 576-3993 or a local Catholic Church. Or, go to the website and select your state on the drop down list. (Do not need to be Catholic to get services.)

Catholic Charities - www.catholiccharitiesusa.org. To find a local agency, call (703) 549-1390 or a local Catholic Church. Or, go to the website, click on "Quick Find", select your state on the drop down list, and select the nearest agency. They can tell you if there is one closer. (Do not need to be Catholic to get services.)

Community Action Agencies - www.communityactionpartnership.com. To find a local agency, call (202) 265-7546, or go to the website, click on "About Us", click on "links".

*FOR UTILITY BILLS:

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) - Call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) project at (866) 674-6327 from 8am - 6pm EST.

*FOR MEDICINE:

NeedyMeds.com - www.needymeds.org. Can download applications for free and low cost medicine.

Rx Assist - www.rxassist.org. Claims to be the web's most current and comprehensive directory of Patient Assistance Programs. Register online to access the database.

Together Rx Access - www.togetherrxaccess.com. Free prescription-savings card for patients who have no prescription drug coverage. Call (800) 444-4106 or apply on line.

*FOR FOOD:

Angel Food Ministries - www.angelfoodministries.com. To find local distribution sites, call (888) 817-3745 or go to the website. Can get enough fresh and frozen food for a family of 4 for about a week for $30. Anyone can order unlimited amounts.

My experience as a Home Health Nurse educated me to know that patients sometimes experience unexplained fluctuations in blood levels. The answer became obvious - they couldn't afford their medicine at the end of the month!

These kinds of Resources can help patients better manage their care.