Still Searching For Help

A month or so ago, our social worker started checking into a program or 'fund' that might help reduce the cost of Emily's prescription eye medications. I spoke to her this morning and not one single medication qualifies for or is part of the program. What the hell??? Can't we catch any kind of break here?

I've exhausted just about every avenue that I can think of for financial assistance for Emily's medical needs/expenses. We don't qualify for reason X, Y or Z....

My next (and probably last) option is to look into the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund.

http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/cicrf/home/index.html

What is the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund?

The Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund is a financial assistance program for New Jersey Families whose children have an illness or condition otherwise uncovered by insurance, State or Federal programs, or other source, such as fundraising. The Fund is intended to assist in preserving a family's ability to cope with the responsibilities which accompany a child's significant health problems.

To be Eligible, In any prior, consecutive, 12 month period, dating back to 1988, eligible expenses must exceed 10% of the family's income.

In speaking this morning with Andrea, our early intervention district coordinator, she advised me to look into this as an option for Emily. Now that we have over 12 months in previous medical expenses for her, we can apply. But I'm sure we'll have to furnish a world of paperwork, receipts, cancelled checks, bills etc...to prove what we've spent out of pocket in those 12 months. It won't be that difficult since I have everything organized fairly well, but it's just more red tape we're going to have to cut through. And who knows how quickly we'd get reimbursed if we did qualify and they chose us. It could be MONTHS before we get any answer or see any kind of money...and that's if we meet the minimum 10% threshold.

The one good thing is that we can apply for every 12 consecutive months since you are applying for reimbursement of what you've already paid, so we will shortly be able to apply for the last 2 years. I called today to request the application so we'll see what happens.