87TAB FIVE | RESOURCES patient guide

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE Social Security Disability Insurance

If you have paid into Social Security for much of your life and then become disabled, you may qualify for disability benefits.

Benefits begin after five months of becoming disabled. The Social Security Administration has a very strict definition of

disability. If you are denied coverage, you may appeal the decision by writing a letter to obtain your disability rights. Or,

you may decide to hire an attorney for the appeals process for better representation of your case.

If you do receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you can become eligible for Medicare after 24 months. To

apply for SSDI, you should call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or apply online at

http://www.ssa.gov/redbook/eng/main.htm.

Supplemental Security Income

This is a supplement to your income or the family of someone who is disabled. To qualify, you must have low income and

assets and be disabled, over age 65 or legally blind. The Supplemental Security Income Web site has a Benefit Eligibility

Screening Tool (BEST) to see if you are eligible. For more information, you should call 1-800-772-1213 or go to their

Web site at http://www.ssa.gov/ssi/index/.htm.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

This is a program that provides financial assistance to low-income families by granting federal funds to state entities. In

Alabama, the AL Department of Human Resources allocates money through the Family Assistance Program. For more

information on the Family Assistance Program, call 334-242-1773 or go to their Web site at

http://www.dhr.state.al.us/page.asp?padieid=357.

Drug Assistance Programs

Some pharmaceutical companies and foundations offer free or nearly free medications to patients who are underinsured

or cannot afford them. To meet qualification requirements, you will need to provide tax forms, pay stubs and/or bank

statements. You will need to contact the individual company or foundation. The Caring for Cancer Program has an online

database that gives information and forms for almost every cancer drug and pharmaceutical program. Go to

http://www.caring4cancer.com/go/cancer/financial/help-with-costs/DrugAssistancePrograms.aspx or

Google Caring4Cancer and follow the links to Patient Assistance Programs for the Underinsured.

Outside Organizations

There are other organizations that provide small grants to help patients for short periods of time. Some programs are

diagnosis-specific, while others will only cover certain parts of your treatment, co-pays and medications.