Just because you have fallen on hard times, doesn't mean you want man's best friend to suffer. Pets of all kinds can offer comfort and support; both emotional and physical, during any time of strife. But how do you hang onto them when you can barely afford to feed your own family? Or what if they get sick? Veterinary fees sometimes exceed Human Doctor fees today, and a lot of them require payment up front.
There is help out there.
First, if you receive any type of food assistance from your state, you can sign up for petfoodstamps.org. This is a program that is a pet food pantry that sends you pet food in the mail each month, once you are a part of their program. The catch: Don't expect it for emergency assistance. I signed up several months ago and have yet to receive a response.
Second, check out RedRover.org. They have so many resources for all types of pet services; from vet help to spay and neuter help, to help for the homeless to keep their pets.
Third, contact your local animal shelters and animal control services. A lot of times they will receive too much food and litter for kitties, and are willing to donate them on a one time basis if you ask. They have limited space for animals so when they can help keep pets with their families instead of their facilities they are more than happy to help. They will also have the names and numbers of any discounted vet services, or if there is a pet food pantry in your area.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Non Insurance Medical Problems- Where to Start
I will tell you first, that if you have the diagnosis of any type of cancer, my heart goes out to you, but you will probably have one of the easiest times finding aid, whether it be financial or otherwise, especially if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The Susan B. Komen Foundation has done a fantastic job with awareness to the point where breast cancer. But where do you turn for help if your health problem has no major foundation?
The first place you want to turn to is your local organizations. Dialing 211 on any touch tone phone will ring you to your local social services organizations. They have a list of all of the non-profits and for-profit organizations in your area that help out. Explaining your situation to them will help them to find help more fitting to your situation.
Reach out to your local churches, many of them have nurses and doctors on staff who help families find medical assistance.
Call non-profits who help a disease other than the one you or your loved one has. A lot of times, even if they can't help, they will be able to point you in the direction of organizations who can.
And one of the most important resources I can give you is the Patient Advocate Foundation. They have a huge list of resources. It takes a while to get an advocate, so I would make it one of your first phone calls. http://www.patientadvocate.org/ 1-800-532-5274
The first place you want to turn to is your local organizations. Dialing 211 on any touch tone phone will ring you to your local social services organizations. They have a list of all of the non-profits and for-profit organizations in your area that help out. Explaining your situation to them will help them to find help more fitting to your situation.
Reach out to your local churches, many of them have nurses and doctors on staff who help families find medical assistance.
Call non-profits who help a disease other than the one you or your loved one has. A lot of times, even if they can't help, they will be able to point you in the direction of organizations who can.
And one of the most important resources I can give you is the Patient Advocate Foundation. They have a huge list of resources. It takes a while to get an advocate, so I would make it one of your first phone calls. http://www.patientadvocate.org/ 1-800-532-5274
Monday, August 26, 2013
Reach Out
The first thing you can do is to reach out. It's also one of the hardest, especially if you have been turned away before. A great place to start is reaching out to the churches in your area, and I don't just mean one that you are affiliated with, although that is the best one to start with.
Many area churches have programs set up to help out whether it be financially, with food, giftcards, bill relief, or with supplies you may need, medical or otherwise. One church I reached out to has a program set up to help families in need to buy school supplies for children. Another has a program for giftcards if you need clothes, medical supplies, etc.
The thing to know is that you won't know until you ask. If you've already been down this road, say 6 months ago, call and check again. A lot can happen in 6 months, and while going through something, I know 6 months can feel like 10 years and 2 days at the same time, the world does keep going on around you. That may sound harsh, but I know I feel as though the world should stop sometimes because we're going through disaster. But a lot of progress in churches can happen in that period of time, and programs could have been put in place that didn't exist before, and possibly because you asked. But a church is just like any other organization, and it has to take ideas up before boards, get them approved, differentiate a separate bank account for the new need, and then set the guidelines for how those funds will be used. It takes time, but it never hurts to call back. Following up is one of the most important things you can do when you are seeking aid. These programs, churches and non-profits alike, deal with a ton of different cases each day, and, though it may seem wrong, won't always call you back, even with good news. It's up to you.
I keep three notebooks, one of places I've called, who I talked to and notes. One of the places who have helped or offered help and notes on what took place, the times I called and who I talked to. And one of the resources I have found and have not yet contacted. It gives me the information I need, and then you can go a step further and flag them when it's time to call them back. A lot of times a weekly call can even produce results. Getting yourself and your story in people's minds will bring you to the forefront of their mind if an opportunity comes up that would benefit you, that they might neglect to remember you if they haven't been in steady contact with you.
Grab a phone book. Check in the yellow pages and start calling. The worst they can say is no. Churches will usually point you in a direction of someone to call though. Be prepared, believer or not, if you receive help to receive a sermon with it. Churches are not just worried about your financial, physical or emotional health, they are also concerned with your spiritual. And believing in something bigger than yourself at times of hardship is not a bad thing.
A lot of churches will say, "What we can do will only be a drop in the bucket." especially if your need is large, for example medical expenses. I like to remind them that with enough drops, even a bucket can be filled. Take note of 1 John 17-18 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need, but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.
Many area churches have programs set up to help out whether it be financially, with food, giftcards, bill relief, or with supplies you may need, medical or otherwise. One church I reached out to has a program set up to help families in need to buy school supplies for children. Another has a program for giftcards if you need clothes, medical supplies, etc.
The thing to know is that you won't know until you ask. If you've already been down this road, say 6 months ago, call and check again. A lot can happen in 6 months, and while going through something, I know 6 months can feel like 10 years and 2 days at the same time, the world does keep going on around you. That may sound harsh, but I know I feel as though the world should stop sometimes because we're going through disaster. But a lot of progress in churches can happen in that period of time, and programs could have been put in place that didn't exist before, and possibly because you asked. But a church is just like any other organization, and it has to take ideas up before boards, get them approved, differentiate a separate bank account for the new need, and then set the guidelines for how those funds will be used. It takes time, but it never hurts to call back. Following up is one of the most important things you can do when you are seeking aid. These programs, churches and non-profits alike, deal with a ton of different cases each day, and, though it may seem wrong, won't always call you back, even with good news. It's up to you.
I keep three notebooks, one of places I've called, who I talked to and notes. One of the places who have helped or offered help and notes on what took place, the times I called and who I talked to. And one of the resources I have found and have not yet contacted. It gives me the information I need, and then you can go a step further and flag them when it's time to call them back. A lot of times a weekly call can even produce results. Getting yourself and your story in people's minds will bring you to the forefront of their mind if an opportunity comes up that would benefit you, that they might neglect to remember you if they haven't been in steady contact with you.
Grab a phone book. Check in the yellow pages and start calling. The worst they can say is no. Churches will usually point you in a direction of someone to call though. Be prepared, believer or not, if you receive help to receive a sermon with it. Churches are not just worried about your financial, physical or emotional health, they are also concerned with your spiritual. And believing in something bigger than yourself at times of hardship is not a bad thing.
A lot of churches will say, "What we can do will only be a drop in the bucket." especially if your need is large, for example medical expenses. I like to remind them that with enough drops, even a bucket can be filled. Take note of 1 John 17-18 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need, but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
The Long Journey
I have been down this road. You desperately need help, whether it be financially, emotionally, medically, for your pets, whatever your need may be, if you are at the beginning you are probably wondering: where do I start?
I wanted to start this blog in order to give any of you in any step of your journey a place to start. I have spent hours on the phone and on the internet trying desperately to find any and all resources or advice that there may be for my particular situation and let me tell you there is a lot of nonsense and even more dead ends.
Here is a place to start. This is often a disappointing and fruitless journey, but I want to remind you all that may stumble upon this site: there will be denials, there will be disappointment, and there will be a lot of repeat information that you encounter, but it only takes one to get you the help you need so never stop persevering.
If you have any specific topics that you'd like me to cover or you need help with, email me and/or comment, and I will be happy to write a couple of posts on the topic and email you any references that I may have to help you out.
I wanted to start this blog in order to give any of you in any step of your journey a place to start. I have spent hours on the phone and on the internet trying desperately to find any and all resources or advice that there may be for my particular situation and let me tell you there is a lot of nonsense and even more dead ends.
Here is a place to start. This is often a disappointing and fruitless journey, but I want to remind you all that may stumble upon this site: there will be denials, there will be disappointment, and there will be a lot of repeat information that you encounter, but it only takes one to get you the help you need so never stop persevering.
If you have any specific topics that you'd like me to cover or you need help with, email me and/or comment, and I will be happy to write a couple of posts on the topic and email you any references that I may have to help you out.
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