Finding Help for Basic Needs During a Health Crisis
Finding Help for Basic Needs During a Health Crisis
For individuals facing a health crisis or cancer diagnosis, it can feel overwhelming and daunting to tackle day to day responsibilities as well as new health tasks and appointments. When individuals are also struggling to meet basic needs, it can feel even more difficult to navigate that health crisis. These unfulfilled basic needs can be a barrier to medical care and treatment.
Issues such as food insecurity, unstable housing, lack of transportation, and limited financial or social resources can hinder medical care and treatment. When these needs are not met, it becomes harder for a person to attend treatments and recover. For instance, unreliable housing or transportation can lead to missed medical appointments, and limited finances can prevent access to medications or making copays. These barriers can lead to increased stress and emotional struggles.
The hardship of a cancer diagnosis or other health crisis is challenging enough without the added stress of securing basic needs. By identifying and accessing resources early on, individuals with a serious diagnosis can obtain support, have a better quality of life and successful treatment.
The following list of resources is a starting point for accessing basic support services such as food assistance, accommodations, transportation, financial and legal aid, and emotional support. It’s a guide to help you navigate needed resources and ensure needs are met.
National and Local Help Lines:
- 2-1-1 (United Way): Call 211 or visit 211.org to connect with local services for food, housing, utility assistance, and healthcare.
- National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics: Find free/low-cost health care.
- Volunteers of America has resource listings for a variety of services and basic needs.
- American Red Cross Resource directory to provide disaster, financial, or shelter assistance.
- American Cancer Society (1-800-277-2345) has a variety of support resources available.
Food Assistance:
- Food Pantries: Use Feeding America to find a local food bank or FoodPantries.org for listings of pantries and food banks.
- SNAP (Food Stamps): Apply for assistance through state’s Department of Human Services.
- Why Hunger and National Hunger Hotline 1-866-348-6479 (1-866-3-HUNGRY); for Spanish, call 1-877-842-6273; for programs or to qualify for government food programs or food costs.
- Meals on Wheels 1-888-998-6325 Offers ready-to-eat meals to people who are disabled, homebound, or elderly; costs or fees can vary.
Housing and Shelter:
- Homeless Shelters or Housing Services: Contact local shelters or the National Homeless Shelter Directory.
- HUD (Housing and Urban Development): Offers rental assistance and housing programs.
- Fisher House Foundation Offers comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay while a loved one is in treatment.
- Cleaning For a Reason 877-337-3348 Facilitates monthly house cleaning services at no cost for cancer patients.
Medical Care and Prescriptions:
- Health Centers (HRSA): Federally funded health centers provide low-cost or free care.
- NeedyMeds.org: Offers information on free/discounted medications and assistance programs.
- Cancer Care Co-Payment Assistance Foundation (866-552-6729) Assistance with co-payments for prescribed treatments.
- Health Well Foundation (800-675-8416) Assists with copays, premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses for essential treatments, medications and mental health therapy.
- Patient Advocate Foundation (1-800-532-5274) Provides case management services and financial aid to individuals with chronic, life threatening and debilitating illnesses.
- Pan Fund Assists with out-of-pocket medical expenses.
- The Assistance Fund (855-845-3663) Medical and prescription assistance.
Emotional Support / Counseling / Support groups:
- FCS has Behavioral Health Therapists available to provide mental health therapy for FCS patients. Ask the oncology team for a referral or call (855-327-6112) to self-refer.
- Psychologytoday.com is an online portal to access listings of mental health professionals.
- CancerCare offers support groups, workshops, education and specialized programs.
- PicklesGroup offers free peer-to-peer support and resources for kids and teens impacted by a parent or guardian’s cancer.
- Cancer Support Community (Gilda’s Club) includes free community support programs, groups, classes and workshops for all ages and situations for those impacted by a cancer.
- FCS Patients and Caregivers can join one of our Virtual Support Groups.
Financial and Utility Assistance:
- LIHEAP: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps with heating/cooling bills.
- Local churches/nonprofits: Many offer emergency financial help or bill assistance.
- Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation FCS patients can see if they qualify for a grant to help with expenses, other than medical bills.
- Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition This is a great place for searching financial assistance. This website is a searchable database of cancer organizations by diagnosis.
Transportation Assistance / Air Travel:
- American Cancer Society Offers a Road to Recovery program to offer rides to cancer-related medical appointments.
- Mercy Medical Angels Provides non-emergency, long-distance ground transportation for treatment in the form of gas cards, bus tickets, and train tickets.
- Good Days Helps patients with chronic medical conditions who have limited financial means with transportation.
- Air Charity Network Provides free flights to people in need of medical treatment.
- Angel flight (855-207-5481) A network of non-profit organizations that provide free air transportation for individuals facing financial or logistical barriers to accessing necessary medical care.
- Corporate Angel Network (914-328-1313) It helps cancer patients access the best treatment centers in the United States by arranging free travel on corporate aircraft. Whether a patient is traveling for surgery, clinical trial, or a second opinion.
- Air Care Alliance A network of volunteer pilot group that helps patients access free air transportation they need.
Legal Assistance:
- Cancer Legal Resource Center (213-736-1031) Provides free information and resources on cancer-related legal issues to cancer survivors, caregivers, health care professionals, employers, and others coping with cancer.
- The Right Service This is an online tool to help individuals find resources to assist with daily needs, healthcare, legal services, transportation and housing.
- Honoring Choices Florida Offers Advance Care Planning documents and resources.
about the author
Carla Blouin, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C™
Carla is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 14 years of experience providing compassionate care in diverse medical settings. Carla is experienced in helping individuals and families cope with significant life events, chronic medical conditions, anxiety, depression and grief. She has a strong background in assisting clients navigating end-of-life issues and anticipatory grief.
about the author
Karen Ridley, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C™
Karen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker experienced in providing therapy and supportive care to individuals experiencing anxiety and depression, adjustment issues, chronic health concerns, psychological trauma, grief and end of life. She has over 15 years of experience and utilizes a variety of modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused, mindfulness and meditation, and is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART).
about the author
Leah Sandridge, MSW, LCSW
Leah is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing mental health therapy for more than 25 years. She has extensive experience working with patients dealing with a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, chronic pain and chronic health issues, end of life issues, adjustment challenges, substance abuse, physical, sexual and emotional abuse, ADHD and other learning disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder, marital and family issues.
Comments