Community Services
In 41 states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico there is a service that provides individuals in need with a shortcut through what might be an otherwise bewildering maze of health and human service agencies. By simply dialing 211, those in need of assistance are connected to appropriate agencies and community organization’s services. To learn if 211 services are available in your community and to obtain more information, visit http://www.211.org/
211 services work a bit like 911. Calls to 211 are routed by the local telephone company to a local or regional calling center. The center’s referral specialist questions callers, and accesses databases of resources available from private and public health and human service agencies and links the caller to an organization that can help.
Types of Referrals Offered by 211
- Basic Human Needs Resources – including food and clothing banks, shelters, rent assistance, and utility assistance.
- Physical and Mental Health Resources – including health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health resources, health insurance programs for children, medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, and drug and alcohol intervention and rehabilitation.
- Work Support – including financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance and education programs.
- Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities – including adult day care, community meals, respite care, home health care, transportation, and homemaker services.
- Children, Youth, and Family Support – including child care, after school programs, educational programs for low-income families, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, and protective services.
The 211 referral services or other resources in your community might be able to make referrals to agencies which provide help with such needs as:
- Pro Bono services by local attorneys
- Assistance with medication payments
- Local pain management centers
- Mental health resources and local support groups
- Assistance with computer resources
- Local transportation services for doctor appointments and hospital visits
- Assistance with grocery shopping or grocery deliveries
- Assistance with medical equipment such as canes, walkers, wheelchairs, cushions
This site provides information from the U.S. Department of Justice on the Americans with Disabilities Act. http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm
If you are filing for Social Security Disability, this website will provide instructions for the process. http://www.ssa.gov/
Since there are frequently no experts in the treatment of Tarlov cysts in your area, you may be required to travel long distances to see a physician. The following airline travel services provide special assistance to those who need help traveling via airlines and require additional help to do so.
AIRLINE TRAVEL
TOLL-FREE HOTLINE
800-778-4838 (VOICE)
800-455-9880 (TTY)
AIR CANADA
888-247-2262
AMERICAN AIRLINES
800-433-7300
CONTINENTAL AIRLINES
800-523-3273 – Domestic
800-231-0856 – International
UNITED AIRLINES
800-864-8331 – Domestic
800-538-2929 – International
US AIRWAYS
800-428-4322 – Domestic
800-622-1015 – International
http://www.patientadvocate.org/resources.php
Patient Advocate Foundation seeks to empower patients to take control of their health care. Case managers work with patients to discover local, state, and federal programs that provide assistance for their individual needs. PAF has produced six major publications, several informational brochures, and several special sections devoted to certain health related topics to assist in this goal. Our case managers have also compiled a list of valuable resources that address several topics that you may find beneficial.
If you or someone you know needs assistance with their insurer, employer and/or creditor regarding insurance, job retention and/or debt crisis matters relative to their diagnosis of life threatening or debilitating diseases, please call us at 1-800-532-5274 or email us.
We are constantly adding resources for patients and professionals. If you are unable to find a particular resource or wish to add a resource, please email us.
The National Financial Resources Guidebook
for Patients – a state-by-state directory
Disease Specific Information & Support