Social/Human Services Agencies

State Human Service Agency Info and Links

UK Department of Health (contains links)

Roberts Review - A number of government and privately sponsored programs that help patients financially. They are supported by voluntary organizations, drug companies, hospitals, and corporations, and can help reduce costs of services to cancer patients and their families by providing everything from financial and housing help to transportation and medical care (though it is listed for cancer patients, some of the links may be helpful to others:

Human Service Organizations - Yellow Pages: Look in your local Yellow Pages under “Charitable Organizations”, “Human Service Organizations”, and “Social Service Organizations.” Visit their website for more information about agencies in your geographical area.

Health Insurance Rights and Protections - For information on how to handle disputes with your health insurance company, or to review the consumer guidelines for your state, visit www.healthinsuranceinformation.net. Thanks to a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute has written A Consumer Guide for Getting and Keeping Health Insurance for each state and the District of Columbia. These Consumer Guides are available on their web site and are updated in accordance with changes in federal and state policy.

The Patient Advocate Foundation - (www.patientadvocate.org or 866.512.3861) is a national non-profit organization that serves as an active liaison between the patient and their insurer, employer, and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job retention, and/or debt crisis matters relative to their diagnosis. Professional case managers and attorneys specializing in mediation, negotiation, and education advocate on behalf of patients facing issues around access to care. They provide assistance with the insurance appeals process, access to medications, and expediting applications for Social Security Disability, Medicare, Medicaid, and other social programs.

The Internet Public Library - Informational links on Social Work; work intended to advance the social conditions of a community, and especially of the disadvantaged, by providing psychological counseling, guidance, and assistance, especially in the form of social services.

Mental Health Links

Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) - The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is a network of community-based Resource Centers, Developers, Vendors and Associates dedicated to providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities, and increasing their use of standard, assistive, and information technologies. ATA Members can be found all across the country. We hope that this web site will let you get to know us a little better, make use of our resources, contact one of our members and perhaps consider joining us in achieving our mission of "connecting children and adults with disabilities to technology tools."

United States Department of Health and Human Services - Information and Links to diseases and conditions, families & children, aging, wellness, food and drug, resource locators and more.

National United Way - 800.411.UWAY (8929) Many local United Way agencies operate an information and referral service (often called First Call for Help, or Helpline) that lists a wide variety of local services. Some of these are listed in the Helping Hand Resource Database; some have online searchable databases of their own. United Way may know of local charities and philanthropic organizations that can provide financial assistance. Call them or visit their website to locate your local United Way.
To find your local United Way, type in your zip code in the upper left corner, check the box –Find a local United Way. To get an idea of what kinds of areas United Way can assist in, go to this site: http://national.unitedway.org/aboutuw/ciagenda.cfm

National Accessible Apartment Clearinghouse - By pairing Americans with disablities with accessible apartments for rent/lease, NAAC has assisted many people with disablities to live independently. In an average week, NAAC receives 100 requests from potential renters. NAAC's database covers more than 155 major metropolitan cities and areas. Information about NAAC regularly appears in "Units", "Wheelchair Access & News", "For Rent Magazine", "Disablity Rights" and "Kiplingers".

Protection & Advocacy, Inc. (PAI) - "Advancing the human and legal rights of people with disabilities." Legal or advocacy questions: 1-800-776-5746 TOLL FREE Administration: 916-488-9955. This site has a wealth of resources for fighting discrimination against the disabled and getting access to needed services. (last checked August 2004)

Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging - The Eldercare Locator connects older Americans and their caregivers with sources of information on senior services. The service links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers. You may find the information resources you need by following the directions below or you may speak to an Eldercare Locator information specialist by calling 1-800-677-1116. These offices can help you find resources specific to older people such as meals programs, practical assistance, long term care, respite care, and mental health services.

United States Department of Justice ADA page - United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ADA page: http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-ada.html

UK Department of Health

Links to individual state sites’ governmental benefits

Medical Emergencies Without Insurance - How to Get the Help You Need Without Going Into Debt
An article by Teri Brown that contains some ideas and links for families without insurance.

The Hill-Burton Act - The Hill-Burton Act authorizes assistance to public and other nonprofit medical facilities such as acute care general hospitals, special hospitals, nursing homes, public health centers, and rehabilitation facilities.

ISafetyNet.US - The Health and Human Services Web Navigator:Community, Health and Social Services A database of many different health and human services.

Healthfinder - is a gateway consumer health and human services information web site from the United States government. healthfinder™ can lead you to selected online publications, clearinghouses, databases, web sites, and support and self-help groups, as well as the government agencies and not-for-profit organizations that produce reliable information for the public. The information you find can help you make better choices for yourself and your family about your health and human services needs.

Modest Needs - Modest Needs is a tax exempt, grass-roots charitable organization dedicated to the proposition that no request for help is insignificant.

DCU StreetWise - StreetWise's goal is to simplify your search for reliable information on a variety of useful topics, such as Associations and advocacy groups, accessible housing, assistive technology, travel, American Association of People with Disabilities and more.

Direct and Indirect Financial Support for Families

• United States
• Canada
• United Kingdom
• Republic of Ireland
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Indirect financial help
• Help with medications
• Miscellaneous discounts