Comprehensive Credit Counseling

Assistance for Ohio Residents:

NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE

Ohio Food Stamp Program:
The Ohio Food Stamp program is designed to raise nutritional levels, to expand buying power, and to safeguard the health and well being of individuals in low-income households in Ohio. A household may consist of an individual or a group of individuals who live together and usually purchase, prepare, and eat their food together.  A useful fact sheet (pdf) describing the program can be found at: www.jfs.ohio.gov/factsheets/foodstamps.pdf

You can speak with a representative at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services regarding the program by calling:  614-466-6282

To learn more information about Ohio Food Stamp program, please visit:
www.jfs.ohio.gov/ofam/foodstamps.stm

Ohio Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC):
WIC helps income eligible pregnant and breastfeeding women, women who recently had a baby, infants, and children who are at health risk due to inadequate nutrition.  To apply, set up an appointment at the WIC clinic closest to you:
www.odh.ohio.gov/ASSETS/046B9B8112104A73A2ADFB940857E1E4/wicclinicdir.PDF . 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 Ohio WIC, visit their website at:
www.odh.ohio.gov/odhPrograms/ns/wicn/wic1.aspx

HEALTHCARE ASSISTANCE

Ohio Healthy Start (SCHIP):
Ohio Healthy Start provides free or low-cost health insurance for families with children and pregnant women. This program is designed to provide increased access to health coverage for children in families with income too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to afford private coverage. By calling the Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680, hotline staff can provide general information or offer assistance in filling out the application. The hotline is staffed seven days a week. Families can also find applications at their local office of job & family services.
Families can apply for Healthy Start by downloading and filling out the Combined Programs Application (CPA) - JFS Form #07216 which may be found at: www.jfs.ohio.gov/ohp/consumers/Application.stm 

Families may receive further information by visiting our website at:
www.jfs.ohio.gov/ohp/consumers/HealthyStart.stm

Medicare Premium Assistance Program (MPAP):
Helps people eligible for Medicare who have limited income and assets get help in paying the cost of one or more of the following:
       §Medicare premium(s)
       §Medicare deductibles
       §Medicare coinsurance  

Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for MPAP, applicants must be eligible for Medicare and meet basic requirements. When applying for MPAP, proof of income, resources, age or disability, citizenship (if not a U.S. citizen) and other health insurance is required. No face-to-face interview with the local county department of job and family services is necessary. Applicants can ask an authorized representative to apply on their behalf. For more information  visit www.jfs.ohio.gov or call 1-800-324-8680.

Healthy Families:
Offers quality health coverage to families who meet certain income guidelines. This coverage includes: doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, immunizations, prenatal care, vision, dental, substance abuse and mental health services and much more!  Families can apply for Healthy Families using the Combined Programs Application (CPA) - JFS Form #07216. By calling the Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680, hotline staff can provide general information or offer assistance in filling out the application. The hotline is staffed seven days a week. Families can also find applications at their local office of job & family services.  Additionally, families can get program information or download an application by visiting our website at www.state.oh.us/odjfs/ohp/Application.stm 
  
PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE

The Golden Buckeye Program:
Is open to all Ohio residents age 60 or older and to adult residents age 18-59 if they have a disability as defined by Social Security.  Eligible cardholders may benefit from discounts at merchants, and from the Prescription Drug Savings Program, by using their Golden Buckeye Card.  Visit www.aging.ohio.gov/GoldenBuckeye/default.aspx or call 866-301-6446 for complete information about the Golden Buckeye Program.

Ohio's "Best RX":
A prescription drug discount card program designed to lower the cost of prescriptions for Ohio residents without prescription drug insurance coverage who are: 
       §60 years of age or over; OR 
       §Under age 60 with annual family incomes of less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level

To apply visit the website at www.ohiobestrx.org or call 1-866-923-7879.

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Ohio Unemployment Compensation:
Unemployment Insurance is an employer-paid insurance program that helps workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. It provides temporary financial help to qualified individuals based on their previous earnings, while they are looking for other work.  To apply for UC Benefits, an unemployed worker can telephone the toll-free number between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays:
877-644-6562.  For more information on the Ohio Office of Unemployment Compensation, visit our web site at:  www.jfs.ohio.gov/ouc/

Ohio Works First (OWF):
Ohio Works First (OWF) is the financial assistance portion of Ohio's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. OWF was established to provide time-limited assistance to eligible residents.  In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of Ohio, either pregnant or responsible for a child under 19 years of age, a US national, citizen, legal alien, or permanent resident, have low or very low income, and be either under-employed (working for very low wages), unemployed or about to become unemployed.  OWF provides cash benefits to eligible, needy families for up to 36 months.  To apply for thisprogram, please contact the local administering agency near you:
www.jfs.ohio.gov/workforce/jobseekers/onestopmap.stm
To phone the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) about Ohio Works First, please call:  614-466-6282.
 
ENERGY ASSISTANCE

Ohio Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP):
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a Federally funded program administered by the Ohio Department of Development, Office of Community Service (OCS). It is designed to help eligible low-income Ohioans meet the high costs of home heating. HEAP provides a one-time payment for PUCO regulated utility customers for the winter heating season. Vouchers are issued to non-regulated utility customers, master-metered and other applicants who do not have a utility bill in their name.  To learn more information about Ohio HEAP, visit:  www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/ocs/regheap.htm

Call HEAP toll-free during regular business hours (8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.) Monday through Friday at: 800-282-0880

Ohio Weatherization Assistance Program:
The Ohio's Home Weatherization Assistance Program is a Federally funded, low-income residential energy efficiency program.  An application for this program can be printed from the website listed below. Please complete and mail the application with the required documents to the address listed on the bottom of page 2 and mark Box4 for the Weatherization program: http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits_en.portal...
For additional inquiries, please contact the Office of Community Services at: 1-800-282-0880.

HOUSING ASSISTANCE

The Save the Dream foreclosure:
Effort in Ohio is uniquely structured to include both governmental and private sector partners each deeply concerned about the foreclosure crisis facing Ohio, and we are working to provide you with the tools to save your dream—the American dream—of owning a home.  Additional information for homeowner help can be found at www.com.ohio.gov/SaveThe Dream or by calling 1-888-404-4674.

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE

Parents who are working or in school can apply for help to pay for their child care in the county where they live by contacting the county department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS). You must choose a licensed child care center, school-age program, head start, or a home provider (relative or non relative) or in-home aide that is certified by the CDJFS in order to get help. You will still be required to pay for part of your child care, called a fee or co-payment. The amount you pay is based on your income, family size and how many children that you have in child care. You may be eligible for help to pay for your child care if you receive cash from Ohio Works First (OWF) (formerly called ADC or welfare), if you no longer receive OWF cash assistance or if you never received OWF, but your income is low. You can get more information about the child care program from your County Department of Job and Family Services  and at: www.jfs.ohio.gov 


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.