Comprehensive Credit Counseling

Assistance for Kentucky Residents:

NUTRITION ASSISTANCE

Kentucky Food Stamp Program:  Program Contact Information:
For more information about the Food Stamp Program, call the food stamp office in the county where you live or call the Ombudsman toll-free at 800-372-2973

Kentucky Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC):
The WIC Program provides supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals to health care, at no cost, to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are determined to be at nutritional risk. To be fully eligible for the WIC Program, applicants must be determined by a health professional, at no cost, to be at nutritional risk (i.e., have certain medical-based or diet-based risk conditions).  Please see the following Web Site for the income standard or maximum income limit for WIC eligibility:  www.fns.usda.gov/wic/howtoapply/incomeguidelines.htm 

For more information on Kentucky WIC, please visit the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH):  chfs.ky.gov/dph/mch/ns/wic.htm or toll free at 800-462-6122.

HEALTHCARE ASSISTANCE

The Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP):
Provides free or low cost health insurance for Kentucky's children. KCHIP covers everything from checkups to prescriptions, from broken bones to booster shots, eyeglasses, hearing aids, dental care, hospital care and more.  To download or request an application, for information on the application process, and phone numbers to call with questions or to call for assistance with the application, please visit this website: www.kidshealth.ky.gov/en/kchip/  

The Kentucky State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP):
Provides information, counseling and assistance to seniors and disabled individuals, their family members and caregivers.  This service is provided at no charge by local, well-trained counselors.  SHIP also works in partnership with the Kentucky Medicare Partners to provide outreach and education to people with Medicare.
The statewide SHIP toll free-number within Kentucky is: 1-877-293-7447 

Health Kentucky:
For those residents who are ineligible for any state programs  
1.    Applicant must be a Kentucky resident between the ages of 19-64.
2.    Applicant cannot be covered by any other insurance including, Medicaid, Medicare, KCHIP, or Disability (SSI)
3.    Income level for applicant must be at or below Federal Poverty guidelines. This can be determined when completing the application

If you think you may be eligible for free health care, please call toll-free hot line at 1-800-633-8100 for additional information or you can apply at your County Department for Community Based Services.

PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE

KentuckyRxcard:
A discount drug card program.  The cards are free to all Kentucky residents and have no enrollment forms, no restrictions on age or income and no eligibility is required.  More information is available at www.kentuckyrxcard.com or visit any CVS pharmacy or Kmart in Kentucky.

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Kentucky Unemployment Insurance:
Provides temporary financial assistance to workers unemployed through no fault of their own that meet Kentucky's eligibility requirements.  In order to establish your unemployment insurance claim, please visit Kentucky's Electronic Workplace for Employment Services (KEWES) web site:  https://uiclaims.des.ky.gov/ebenefit/

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP):
Provides training and part-time employment opportunities to low-income Kentucky residents 55 and older with an income at or below 125 percent of the poverty level.  Contact number is 800-372-2973.

Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (K-TAP):
The monetary assistance program established by Kentucky using Federal funds from the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) block grant. K-TAP provides financial and medical assistance to needy dependent children in Kentucky and the parents, or relatives, with whom the children are living. K-TAP also helps families find jobs or get training that leads to a job.  To apply, contact your local Community Based Services office:
https://apps.chfs.ky.gov/Office_Phone/index.aspx .  For additional information about K-TAP visit:  http://chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dfs/KTAP.htm Or call the K-TAP information line at:
502-564-7050.

ENERGY ASSISTANCE

Kentucky Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program: 
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income Kentucky families pay high heating bills.  For more information about this program, please visit:  http://chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dfs/liheap.htm

HOUSING ASSISTANCE

Rental Assistance:
There are several different rental assistance programs available through Kentucky Housing Corporation. These programs offer very low-income residents an opportunity to find housing at an affordable price. Kentucky Housing administers many federal rental assistance programs throughout the state. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) pays a portion of the resident's rent (subsidy) and the resident pays the rest (usually 30 to 40 percent of their income). The most widely used programs are the Project Based Rental Administration and the Housing Choice Voucher Program.  Additional information is available at www.kyhousing.org or by calling 1-800-633-8896.

Housing Choice Voucher to Homeownership Program:
If you are eligible, the Housing Choice Voucher to Homeownership Program lets you use your monthly assistance toward a home loan payment instead of rent.  You must currently be participating in a Housing Choice Voucher Program with Kentucky Housing or your community?s housing assistance office.  Log on to www.kyhousing.org or call 1-800-633-8896 for more information.

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE

The Child Care Assistance Program:
Available to children under age 13, or up to age 18 if the child has special needs.  Eligible children must reside in Kentucky with a family whose income does not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level and meet eligibility guidelines.  Information is available at www.chfs.ky.gov or by calling 502-564-2524.


Other Assistance   

FOOD ASSISTANCE

Angel Food Ministries:
Is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable high quality food to those in need. They are helping to ease the grocery burden on 500,000 families around the country each month.   Generally, one unit of food assists in feeding a family of four for about one week for $30 or a single senior citizen for almost a month for $28. The food is all the same high quality one could purchase at a grocery store. There are no second-hand items, no damaged or out-dated goods, no dented cans without labels, no day-old breads and no produce that is almost too ripe.
Also offered are specialty boxes such as steaks, chicken and pork. Many participants in this bonus program appreciate the expanded choices. Additionally, there is no limit to the number of units or bonus foods an individual can receive, and there are no applications to complete or qualifications to which participants must adhere. Angel Food Ministries also participates in the U.S. Food Stamp program, using the Off-Line Food Stamp Voucher system.  Menus, pick-up locations and additional information can by found at www.angelfoodministries.com

United Way 2-1-1
This is a free and confidential service that can provide assistance with the following:

Basic Human Needs Resource:
Food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance.

Physical and Mental Health Resources:
Medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention, rehabilitation, health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health, children?s health insurance programs.

Employment Support:
Unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, education programs.

Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities:
Home health care, adult day care, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, transportation, and homemaker services.

Support for Children, Youth and Families:
Quality childcare, Success by 6, after school programs, Head Start, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services.
 
Free Prescription Discount Card:  FamilyWize cards are distributed free of charge, nationwide, by the FamilyWize Community Service Partnership with participating United Ways.  These discount cards offer savings of up to 30% or more at any of 55,000 participating pharmacies.  For more information contact United Way  at 211 or visit www.familywize.org 
Phone:  2-1-1
Website:  www.211us.org

Social Security:
You can apply for retirement benefits online and also use the Retirement Estimator to calculate how much income you will receive depending on when you decide to retire.  Applications should be made three months prior to retirement.  Assistance with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs is also available.  The website is www.socialsecurity.gov or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-633-4227 for more information about the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

The Healthwell Foundation:
Helps with out-of-pocket expenses such as co-pays and insurance premiums for people with specific conditions.
Phone:  800-675-8416
Website: www.healthwellfoundation.org 
 
Cancercare:
Offers financial help for those with cancer of all ages.  Assistance may include homecare, childcare, transportation, medical equipment and prescription.
Phone:  800-813-4673
Website:  www.cancercare.org AND www.cancercarecopay.org 
 
Caring Voice Coalition Road:
Offers financial resources for insurance premiums, medications, and Medicare co-pay assistance for the following diseases:  Huntington?s Disease, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Defiency, Chronic Granulomatous Disease.
Phone:  888-267-1440
Website: www.caringvoice.org 

National Cancer Institute:
Financial assistance and other resources for people with cancer including transportation assistance, temporary housing, wigs or prescription assistance.
Phone:  800-422-6237
Website:  www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheets/support/financial-assistance 
 
American Cancer Society:
Some local offices offer prescription assistance among other assistance
Phone:  800-ACS-2345
Website:  www.cancer.org 
 
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Single Patient Investigational New Drug Program:
Patients who are not eligible for a clinical trail and who are in an immediate medical crisis may be able to receive drugs that are not yet FDA-approved.  Your doctor would have to apply to the FDA for permission to use the drug.
Website:  www.fda.gov/cder/cancer/singleIND.htm 

Hollyrod Foundation:
Provides assistance in obtaining medications, treatments and therapies not covered by insurance.  Also assistance obtaining adaptive equipment.  Primarily for those with Parkinson?s disease.
Phone:  866-465-5976
Website:  www.hollyrod.com
 
Caring Ambassador Lung Cancer Program:
Provides a listing of Patient Assistance Programs and Pharmaceutical Company Patient Assistance Programs.
Phone:  503-632-9032
Website:  www.lungcancercap.org 

The Brain Tumor Society:
Financial assistance is given through the agency's BTS CARES Financial Assistance Program. This program provides supplementary financial assistance to individuals experiencing financial need. This program covers specific nonmedical costs related to a primary brain tumor diagnosis. Direct medical expenses are not covered.
Phone: 1-800-770-8287
Website: www.tbts.org 
 
National Brain Tumor Society:
For patients of all ages with primary or metastatic brain tumors.  Limited financial assistance for transportation, co-pay assistance, home care, child care and home adaptation.
Phone:  800-934-2873
Website:  www.braintumor.org

Chronic Disease Fund:
Helps underinsured patients with chronic disease, cancers or life-altering conditions obtain the expensive medications they need.
Phone:   (972) 712-0201
Website:  www.cdfund.org

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society:
Helps patients meet their health insurance or Medicare Plan B or D premiums or co-payment obligations.
Phone:  877-557-2672
Website:  www.LLS.org/copay

National Organization for Rare Disorders:
Assists uninsured or under-insured individuals in securing life-saving or life-sustaining medications.  Offers co-payment assistance for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Hodgkin?s Lymphoma, Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuira.
Phone: 800-999-6673 (voicemail only) or 203-744-0100
Website:  www.rarediseases.org
 
Patient Advocate Foundation Colorectal Care Line:
Limited financial grant for transportation reimbursement, temporary lodging, child-care and food costs associated with out of town treatment.
Phone:  866-657-8634
Website:  www.colorectalcareline.org 
 
Sarcoma Alliance:
Grants up to $1000 to reimburse medial and other expenses directly related to getting a second opinion from a sarcoma specialist.
Phone:  415-381-7236
Website:  www.sarcomaalliance.org 

Co-Pay Relief:
Helps with a variety of illnesses and conditions.  Assists patients who cannot access the treatments they need due to out-of-pocket health care costs including deductibles and co-payments.
Phone:  866-512-3861
Website:  www.copays.org 

Partnership for Prescription Assistance:
Offers access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs.  Includes assistance for the uninsured.
Phone:  888-477-2669
Website:  www.pparx.org 

Patient Access Network Foundation:
Helps with out-of-pocket expenses for 20 different chronic diseases.
Phone:  866-316-7263
Website:  www.patientaccessnetwork.org 

Patient Advocate Foundation?s Co-Pay Relief Program:
Provides direct co-payment assistance for pharmaceutical products to insured patients who financially and medically qualify.
Phone:  866-512-3861
Website:  www.copays.org 

Patient Services Incorporated:
Provides health insurance premium assistance (including COBRA) and co-payment assistance for many conditions including asthma.
Phone:  800-366-7741
Website:  www.uneedpsi.org 

Prescription Discounts:

PhRMA companies have long been worldwide leaders not only in pharmaceutical innovation, but also in philanthropic initiatives— and their long-standing patient assistance programs are especially helpful.
This Directory, www.PPARx.org and 1-888-4PPA-NOW
(1-888-477-2669), further their goal of helping to make medicines available to those who need them.
3M Pharmaceuticals
3M Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-328-0255 | F 1-651-733-6068
Abbott Laboratories
Abbott Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-222-6885 | F 1-866-898-1473
Abbott Virology Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-222-6885 | F 1-866-483-1305
HUMIRA Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-448-6472 | F 1-866-323-0661
Ross Medical Nutritionals Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-222-6885 | F 1-866-483-1305
Ross Metabolic Formula and Elecare Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-222-6885 | F 1-866-483-1305
Zemplar Patient Assistance Program
P 1-877-936-7527 | F 1-877-936-7528
Amgen
Encourage Foundation® (Enbrel)
P 1-888-436-2735 | F 1-888-508-8083
Safety Net Foundation for Kineret
P 1-866-546-3738 | F 1-866-203-4926
Safety Net Foundation for Sensipar
P 1-800-272-9376 | F 1-800-508-8090
Safety Net Program
P 1-800-272-9376 | F 1-888-508-8090
Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Amylin Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-330-7647
Astellas Pharma US Inc.
Prograf and Protopic Patient Assistance Programs
P 1-800-477-6472
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, LP
AstraZeneca Foundation Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-424-3727
Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Lovenox Reimbursement Services and Patient Assistance Program
P 1-888-632-8607 | F 1-888-875-9951
Sanofi-Aventis Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-221-4025
Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Bayer Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-998-9180
Nexavar REACH Program
P 1-866-639-2827
Berlex Laboratories, Inc.
Arch Foundation
P 1-877-393-9071
Berlex Inc. Patient Assistance Program
P 1-888-237-5394, option 6 | F 1-973-305-3545
Berlex Oncology Reimbursement Support Line
P 1-800-321-4669
The Betaseron Foundation
P 1-800-948-5777 | F 1-877-744-5615
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Boehringer Ingelheim CARES Foundation, Inc.
P 1-800-556-8317 | F 1-866-851-2827
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc.
P 1-800-736-0003 | F 1-800-736-1611
Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc. (Abilify)
P 1-800-736-0003 | F 1-800-598-5561
Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc.
(Oncology/Virology)
P 1-800-736-0003 | F 1-866-694-2545
Celgene Corporation
Patient Support Solutions
P 1-888-423-5436, option 3 | F 1-800-822-2496
Centocor, Inc.
Patient Assistance Program for Remicade
P 1-866-489-5957 | F 1-866-489-5958
Cephalon, Inc.
Actiq PAP
P 1-888-337-2579 | F 1-240-632-3092
Gabitril PAP
P 1-866-209-7589 | F 1-866-209-7596
Provigil PAP
P 1-800-675-8415
Eisai Inc.
Aciphex Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-523-5870 | F 1-800-526-6651
Aricept Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-226-2072 | F 1-800-226-2059
Fragmin Patient Assistance Program
P 1-866-272-8804 | F 1-866-272-8805
Patients in Need (Zonegran)
P 1-866-694-2550 | F 1-866-801-5631
Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly Cares
P 1-800-545-6962
Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Enzon Hotline for Abelcet, Depocyt and Oncaspar
P 1-800-345-2252
Genzyme Corporation
The Charitable Access Program (CAP)
P 1-800-745-4447, ext. 16634
GlaxoSmithKline
Bridges to Access
P 1-866-728-4368
Commitment to Access
P 1-866-265-6491

Johnson & Johnson Wound Management, A Division of Ethicon, Inc.
Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-652-6227 | F 1-888-526-5168
McNeil Consumer and Specialty Pharmaceuticals
Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-652-6227 | F 1-888-526-5168
Merck and Co., Inc.
ACT (Accessing Coverage Today) for EMEND
P 1-866-363-6379 | F 1-866-363-6389
The Merck Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-727-5400
Merck Prescription Discount Card
P 1-800-506-3725
The SUPPORT Program for Crixivan Reimbursement Support and Patient Assistance Services for Crixivan
P 1-800-850-3430
Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals
Merck/Schering-Plough Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-347-7503
Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
VELCADE Reimbursement Assistance Program
P 1-866-835-2233
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Clozaril Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-277-2254
Gleevac Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-277-2254
Novartis Oncology Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-277-2254
Novartis Patient Assistance Program for Transplant Patients
P 1-800-277-2254
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-277-2254
Sandostatin/Sandostatin LAR Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-277-2254
Visudyne Patient Assistance Program
P 1-877-736-2778
Novo Nordisk Inc.
Novo Nordisk Diabetes Patient Assistance Program
P 1-866-310-7549 | F 1-908-429-8764
Novo Nordisk Hormone Therapy Patient Assistance Program
P 1-866-668-6336
Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.
DOXILine
P 1-800-609-1083 | F 1-800-987-5572
ORTHOVISCline
P 1-866-633-8472 | F 1-800-987-5572
PROCRITline
P 1-800-553-3851 | F 1-800-987-5572
Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc.
Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-652-6227 | F 1-888-526-5168
Ortho Women’s Health & Urology, A Unit of Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-652-6227 | F 1-888-526-5168
OrthoNeutrogena, A Division of Ortho-McNeil
Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-652-6227 | F 1-888-526-5168
Pfizer Inc
Pfizer Helpful Answers
P 1-800-706-2400
Single point of access to all Pfizer programs
Aricept Patient Assistance Program
P 1-800-226-2072 | F 1-800-226-2059
Connection to Care
P 1-800-707-8990 | F 1-866-470-1748
FirstRESOURCE (Oncology)
P 1-877-744-5675 | F 1-800-708-3430
Fragmin Patient Assistance Program
P 1-866-272-8804 | F 1-866-272-8805
Macugen Access Program
P 1-866-272-8838

Meijer Free Antibiotics
Amoxicillin, Cephalexin, SMZ-TMP, Ciproflaxacin, Penicillin VK, Ampicillin and Erythromycin. 
FREE prenatal vitamins are available at all Meijer stores in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.

Wal-Mart: $4 prescriptions for some generic drugs

Kmart: $15 for 90-day supply of 184 generic prescriptions

Publix: Has some FREE antibiotics and offers FREE prenatal vitamins

Schnucks: Offers FREE generic oral antibiotics at all stores which are located in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee and Iowa.