Financial and Insurance ResourcesThe cost of healthcare for children with chronic illnesses and disabilities is financially draining for most families. In addition, making decisions about your family's health insurance coverage can be difficult and confusing. We hope that the following resources are of some assistance to your family.
In addition, because we receive numerous request for assistance
with utility bills, we've included some PA resources that may be of help.
Utility Resources:
LIHEAP: Federal program that runs from early November through March and provides a grant to assist families in paying their utility bills. You can apply online at www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms or by calling them at
1-866-857-7095.
Philadelphia Office:
100
N. 20th Street
Suite 201
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-977-8830
215-977-8228 (FAX #)
Pittsburgh
Office:
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
One
Children's Hospital Drive
4401 Penn Avenue
AOB, 2nd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
1-877-KID-VENT
Crisis Grants: Each County Assistance Office also offers crisis grants for emergency situations when a family is in jeopardy of losing their heat. Emergency situations include: broken or leaking heating equipment, lack of fuel, termination of utility service, or danger of being without fuel or utility service. Contact your local County Assistance Office unless you live in one of the following areas. For these counties, call:
Lackawanna--Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency 570-963-6836
Allegheny--Department of Human Services 1-800-851-3838
Carbon--Carbon County Action Committee 610-377-6400
Center--Central PA Community Action Agency 814-765-1551 or Millheim Family Service Center at 814-349-5850
Lancaster--Community Action Program 717-299-7301
Luzerne--Commission on Economic Opportunity 570-826-0510
Philadelphia--Energy Coordinating Agency 215-587-0060
Wyoming--Commission on Economic Opportunity 570-836-4090
York--Community Progress Council of York County 717-846-4600 x249
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Federal agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Offers a state-by-state listing of information on these programs.
Children's Defense Fund
A voice for children with particular attention to poor, minority and disabled children.
Department of Public Welfare (DPW)
Contains information on the many programs, such as medical assistance and income maintenance, offered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Families USA
Families USA is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to the achievement of high-quality, affordable health and long-term care for all Americans.
Family Village
This site integrates information, resources and communication opportunities on the Internet for persons with mental retardation and other disabilities, for their families, and for those who provide them services and support.
Insure.com
Provides consumers with comprehensive and current information about obtaining and keeping insurance coverage of all types.
Insure Kids Now
This site provides information on each state's low-cost health insurance coverage for children.
Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund
Provides financial assistance for children with serious, chronic illnesses to help defray non-medical expenses. Referral from medical staff is required. This organization offers a free, 24-minute video entitled, "Financial Management During Crisis".
Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE) An educational site for consumers to learn the ins and outs of insurance.
MetLife Online
Metropolitan Life Insurance web site offers sound advice through their Life Advice section on many types of health insurance plans available. They also provide a glossary of commonly used insurance terms to help consumers understand the language.
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Provides information on programs sponsored by the federal government, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability (SSD).
We Are Alive
Provides various services to individuals in the areas of: financial assistance for medical and living expenses, resources and educational programs. Contains downloadable referral forms for medical staff to complete.
