PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
You or someone in your family has cystic fibrosis and needs help. Where do you start in your search for public assistance?
Call the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at 800-FIGHT CF.
Click here find out more
Two good sources for learning about public assistance programs in your area are:
• Your local public social service agency
•
United Way
• Social Insurance Programs
For information contact the local SSA office or call (800) 772-1213. (7am-7 pm EST)
Or contact by writing:
Social Security Administration
Office of Disability
Room 454, Altmeyer Building
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland 21235
• Aid to Families With Dependent Children (AFDC), contact the local office of your state human services department.
• Food Stamps, administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is usually handled by the state or local welfare department.
• Supplemental Food Program For Women, Infants and Children (WIC) , contact your state or local agency determines eligibility.
School Programs
• National School Lunch Program
• Child Care Food Program
• Special Milk Program For Children
• Summer Food Program For Children
Contact your public school district.
Other Programs
• Children With Special Health Needs (CSHN) and often called Children's Medical Services
Contact your state health department for information about this program.
• Higher Education and Adult Training for People with Handicaps (HEATH)
Contact the HEATH Resource Center at (800) 544-3284 or (202) 939-9320 for more information.
• State Children's Specialty Services
Contact your state office
Helpful Hints
Tax deductions: Medical expenses may be deductible if they exceed a specified percentage of the family's income and are itemized on the federal tax return. In addition, the costs of prescribed or supplemental food may also be deducted.
For eligibility requirements, refer to Section 213 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Similar deductions may also be available from your state. Contact your local IRS office or your personal tax advisor for the tax law in your state.
When seeking financial assistance, it is usually better to first contact the local branch of the federal agencies. If you cannot obtain the information locally, you may want to call the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) at (410) 966-3000 or write:
Health Care Financing Administration
Inquiries Branch
6325 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland 21207
