This section includes federal and state-level health care benefits and government assistance programs for older adults, persons with disabilities and low-income households. You will find programs specific to your state AND national organizations directing you to local resources (availability of services and eligibility criteria may vary by state/locality).
| Program | Description | Eligibility | Phone | Website |
| | | Caregiver | Care Recipient |  | |
| State-Level |
| National-Level |
| Access to Health Insurance / Resources for Care | Online resource that provides information on low-cost and affordable health insurance, health care, and hospice. It is a free service from the Actors' Fund of America's Health Insurance Resource Center. | Anyone | For Artists, Performers, Freelancers, and Self-Employed | (800) 798-8447 | http://www.ahirc.org/ |
| Benefits Checkup | An online service of the National Council on Aging to help older adults and their families determine their eligibility for and enroll in federal, state, local and private benefit programs including Medicare and Medicaid. | Anyone | Anyone | __ | http://www.benefitscheckup.org |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | An online service of the National Institutes of Health with current information about federally and privately supported clinical trials in human volunteers to answer specific health questions. The website offers information about a trial's purpose, who may participate, locations, and phone numbers for more details. | Anyone | Anyone | __ | http://www.clinicaltrials.gov |
| DisabilityInfo.gov | Government site links to information and resources on a wide range of disability related topics, such as: benefits, civil rights, community services, health services and more. The site includes a state and local resources map which allows the user to locate disability related information/services in their area. | Anyone | Anyone | ___ | www.disabilityinfo.gov |
| Family and Medical Leave | The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year to care for themselves, or for a seriously ill family member, or for a new child without losing their jobs or health care insurance. Some states have additional benefits, such as paid family leave. | Eligible workers must:
• Work at companies with 50 or more employees at or within 75 miles of the work site
• Have worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12-months prior to taking leave | Workers can take leave to care for:
• An ill spouse, child, or parent (some states include additional family members)
• A new baby or adopted child
• Themselves when they have a serious illness | Department of Labor:
(866) 487-2365
National Partnership for Women and Families:
(202) 986-2600 | Department of Labor: http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/index.htm
National Partnership for Women and Families: http://www.nationalpartnership.org |
| Healthfinder.gov | Government web site for consumers that links to over 1,500 health-related organizations and provides consumer guides on issues including long-term care, Medicare, and nursing homes. | Anyone | Anyone | __ | http://www.healthfinder.gov |
| LawHelp.org | Provides online directory of nonprofit legal services providers throughout the country. | Anyone, with special attention on people living on low or moderate income | Anyone, with special attention on people living on low or moderate income | See website for local contact information | http://www.lawhelp.org |
| Medicare | Medicare is a government health insurance program for adults age 65 and older, some people under age 65 with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal disease:
• Part A covers hospital costs as well as limited skilled nursing, home health and hospice care, without a monthly premium.
• Part B covers medical costs, such as doctor's visits and outpatient care, to those who pay a monthly premium.
• Part D includes limited prescription drug coverage through private insurance companies for those who choose to pay a monthly premium. | __ | Multiple requirements:
• U.S. citizen or legal resident
• Any adult age 65 or older OR any adult receiving Social Security Disability Insurance OR any adult with End-Stage Renal Disease or ALS | (800) MEDICAR
(800) 633-4227
In California, call:
(800) 434-0222 | http://www.medicare.gov
In California, visit:
http://www.calmedicare.org |
| Medicare Rights Center | Nonprofit organization that provides direct assistance to people with questions or concerns about Medicare. Information is provided about Medicare drug coverage, health plan options, and rights and benefits. Assistance is available online or by a telephone hotline. | Anyone | Anyone | (800) 333-4114
Hotline counselors are available weekdays
9:00am-1:00pm
(Eastern Time) | http://www.medicarerights.org |
| MedlinePlus - Go Local | An online resource from the National Institute on Health that helps consumers find health services by location and service type. Services include:
• In-home care
• Nursing homes
• Hospitals
• Support groups
• Hospice and palliative care
• Physicians
• Pharmacies
Also provides health and drug information for patients and family members.
(This list is not exhaustive, please visit website for information on more services) | Anyone | Anyone | __ | http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/golocal/index.html |
| National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NACVSO) | Provides assistance in obtaining veterans' benefits and answers questions regarding rules and regulations concerning veterans. Wesbite provides directory of Veteran Service Officers across the country. | Family members of a veteran
| Veterans | See website for local contact information | http://www.nacvso.org |
| National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information | Government website offers practical information and options on planning for future long-term care needs. | Anyone | Anyone | ___ | http://www.longtermcare.gov/ |
| Needy Meds | A non-profit organization that provides online information to those who cannot afford medicine or healthcare costs. Website provides information about prescription assistance programs for specific medications and diseases, as well as government programs. | __ | Varies depending on the specific assistance program. | No hotline. | http://www.needymeds.org |
| Partnership for Prescription Assistance | Provides information about how qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage can get the medicines they need for free or nearly free through patient assistance programs. The website and hotline offer a single point of access to more than 475 public and private programs, including nearly 200 offered by pharmaceutical companies. | -- | Varies depending on the specific assistance program. | (888) 477-2669 | http://www.pparx.org/ |
| Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) | A monthly cash benefit from the federal government for people who are unable to work for a year or more because of a disability. | __ | Multiple requirements:
• Have worked in jobs covered by Social Security
• Be disabled, according to Social Security's definition of disability | (800) 772-1213 | http://www.socialsecurity.gov |
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI) | A monthly cash benefit from the federal government to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter for low-income older adults and people with disabilities. | __ | Multiple requirements:
• Age 65 or older OR Blind or disabled, according to Social Security's definition of disability (any age)
• Resources (real estate, bank accounts, cash, stocks and bonds) cannot exceed $2,000 per person ($3,000 per couple) | (800) 772-1213 | http://www.socialsecurity.gov |
| U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Aid and Attendance Program | This program is available through the Department of Veteran Affairs. A pension and compensation income benefit is payable to any qualified veteran. Deductions from the maximum pensionable amount are allowed to be made for unreimbursed medical expenses. This allows veterans with household incomes larger than the maximum pensionable amount to qualify for a monthly benefit. | __ | • The veteran must have served in active military for 90 or more consecutive days, with 1 day during a period of wartime as defined by the Veterans Administration.
• The veteran must have been discharged under anything other than dishonorable conditions.
• The veteran must be over the age of 65 or disabled.
| (800) 827-1000 | http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/pension/vetpen.htm#7
Organizations which assists Veterans with their application to the Aid & Attendance program:
VeteranAid.org
http://www.veteranaid.org/
The American Assocation For Wartime Veterans
http://72.41.9.26/
|
| U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) & Caregiver Hotline for Post - 9/11 | Provides primary care, specialized care, and related minor medical and social support services to U.S. veterans, service members and their families. VA benefits and services include:
• Compensation
• Pension
• Health Care
• Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
• Education & Training
• Home Loans
• Life Insurance
• Dependents & Survivors
• Burial | __Services for caregivers of post 9/11 veterans call the hotline at: 1-855-260-3274 (The criteria will be different times/wars served to access the numerous caregiver benefits under the new law). | • A veteran OR
• An active duty military service member OR
• A member of the Reserve or National Guard OR
Post - 9/11 (2011) | Information & Assistance (800) 827-1000
| http://www.va.gov OR
VA CAREGIVERS at: http://www.caregiver.va.gov/index.asp |
