Life is about not knowing,
having to change, taking the moment and making
the best of it without knowing what’s
going to happen next.
— Gilda Radner
Many people feel overwhelmed
by financial pressures after they have been
diagnosed with cancer. That burden can be
difficult to bear when you are going through
diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Besides hospital bills, cancer treatment
can include out-of-pocket expenses. These
may include medication, prostheses or wigs,
transportation to and from treatment or to
distant hospitals, and lodging for you or
for family if the hospital is far from where
you live. In addition, it may become difficult
to cover more basic expenses such as food,
utilities and child care.
In this section
you will find resources that may be able
to help you with your particular financial
need.
IDEAS FOR FINANCIAL HELP
If you need help, a good place
to start is with the social worker or financial
counselor at the hospital where you are being
treated.
If there is not a social worker
at your hospital, ask your nurses for help.
These people are the most knowledgeable
about community resources and will know about
local groups who could offer help. They will
also know about programs or foundations the
hospital may have to help cancer patients.
Also, the hospital’s
billing office may be able to work out
a payment plan with you.
There may be help
available through your local health department.
If you are being seen at your local
health department, and your breast cancer
was diagnosed through the Breast and Cervical
Cancer Control Program (BCCCP), you may
be eligible to have your treatment paid
for by the Breast and Cervical Cancer
Medicaid program (BCCM). BCCCP is a program
providing free mammograms, clinical breast
exams and other tests to women in North
Carolina who meet certain income guidelines.
See Resources at end of this section for
contact information.
Your place of worship,
community center, local civic group,
or your friends or relatives may be able
to help.
While you may feel embarrassed at having
to ask for help through a financially-difficult
time, keep in mind that the people
who care about you may be looking for
a tangible way to show you their support.
Several other financial assistance programs
are listed in the Resources at end of
this section.
Information
and Referral Services (I & R).
A good resource for finding out
what assistance programs are available
in your area, especially for basic needs,
are organizations called “I & Rs”.
These groups can refer you to agencies
and programs that provide clothing, counseling,
credit and budget help, adult and child
day care, death and dying services, meals,
elder services, financial assistance
and information, home health services,
legal aid, free medical clinics, translators,
transportation and much more. We have
listed information and referral services
in North Carolina at the end of this
section. Some offer Spanish-speaking
operators.
Your medical costs may be
deductible on your tax return.
Medical costs that are not covered
by insurance policies sometimes can
be deducted from annual income before
taxes. Currently, they must exceed
7.5% of your adjusted gross income
to be deductible. For example, if your
income is $30,000, then you could deduct
out-of-pocket medical costs that exceed
$2,250. Medical costs include doctor’s
bills, drugs, medical supplies and anything
related to your care, including transportation
and lodging. Your local IRS office, tax
consultants or certified public accountants
can help you with the details; or see www.irs.gov and
download Publication 502, Medical and
Dental Expenses.
What
if I don’t
have health insurance or have just lost
it?
There may be a few options available
to you. These include gap health plans,
COBRA insurance coverage, Medicaid and
Medicare. For more detailed information
and resources about health insurance,
see Insurance
Issues.
Tips
For Dealing With Financial Issues
- Get the facts to learn what you
are facing: Collect as much information
as you can about current and possible
future expenses such as medications,
hospital stays, clinic bills, and
related expenses such as transportation,
lodging, and home health aids.
- Make a chart listing the expenses:
Estimate how much you will have
to pay out and how much your insurance,
if you have it, might cover.
- Make a list of your current financial
resources: Be sure to include your
income, savings account, Social
Security, and retirement income.
- Create a budget: After putting
together the information about
the income and expenses, find out
if you will have problems making
ends meet. Many people do. If you
think you will, here are some suggestions.
- Talk to the social worker,
patient representative, or
your nurse at the hospital
to help you find free or
low-cost programs and services
in your area.
- Talk with your hospital’s
billing office to work out
a payment schedule that meets
your budget.
- Find out if you are eligible
for disability income through
private disability insurance,
state disability insurance,
or Social Security disability
benefits.
- See our listing of financial
assistance resources in this chapter.
|
RESOURCES
Financial Assistance
with Screening (Mammograms, Breast Exams)
American Breast Cancer Foundation
410.825.9388 or 877.539.2543
www.abcf.org
Sponsors the “Key to Life” Breast
Cancer Early Detection Program, which offers
clinical breast exams, mammograms, and ultrasound
free of charge to eligible women. Uninsured
and underinsured women of all ages are interviewed
to determine their needs and first referred
to government programs if they fit those
criteria.
Cabarrus Health Alliance Breast Health Screening
Program (Cabarrus County)
704.920.1000
Provides free breast cancer screening, diagnostics
and referrals for low-income, uninsured and
underinsured residents of Cabarrus County
with breast problems who are under age 40
and do not qualify for BCCCP. Contact Priscilla
Wilson, RN, at 704.920.1000 or for more information. (2006 Komen Charlotte
Affiliate Grantee)
CancerCare
800.813.HOPE (4673)
www.cancercare.org
Sponsors limited financial assistance for
cancer patients. Funds are for home care,
child care, and transportation, pain medications,
chemotherapy, radiation and lymphedema services.
There are income guidelines.
Edgecombe Breast Health Initiative (Edgecombe
County)
Edgecombe County Health Department
252.641.7526
Provides funds to help women ages 40-64 in
Edgecombe County get mammograms. (2006 Komen
NC Triangle Grantee)
“ENCOREPlus” of
the YWCA
Call your local YWCA
Provides free or low-cost clinical breast
exams, mammograms and pap smears to women
with certain incomes. Also provides educational
seminars, breast self-exam training, and
peer group support and exercise. Currently,
there are eight YWCA locations in North Carolina — Asheville,
Central Carolinas, Greensboro, High Point,
North Carolina Central University in Durham,
Wake County (Johnston County residents also
eligible), Wilmington, and Winston-Salem/Forsyth
County.
Focused on Education and Early Detection
(Johnston County)
Johnston County Health Department
919.989.5200
Provides funds to help women in Johnston
County to get mammograms. (2006 Komen NC
Triangle Affiliate Grantee)
Hazlo Por Tu Familia (Chatham County)
Chatham Hospital, Siler City, NC
919.663.2005
Offers immigrant Latinas breast health education,
breast exams, case management and after-care
lymphedema therapy. (2006 Komen NC Triangle
Affiliate Grantee)
Health Awareness Program for Immigrants
(Wake County)
919.786.4486
This program from Boat People SOS, Inc.,
helps Vietnamese uninsured and underinsured
women with breast health education, early
detection and mammograms. (2006 Komen NC
Triangle Affiliate Grantee)
Lincoln Community Health Center (Durham,
NC)
919.956.4026
Has an outreach program to provide screening
and bilingual education to uninsured women
in Durham County. (2006 Komen NC Triangle
Affiliate Grantee)
Mammograms for Life! (Nash County)
Nash County Health Department
252.459.9819
Provides mammograms and other diagnostic
services such as ultrasound and biopsies
for women in need, including Hispanic women,
in Nash County. (2006 Komen NC Triangle Affiliate
Grantee)
Mobile Mammography (Caswell County)
336.694.1181
Helps with cost of mammograms and transportation
for women in need in Caswell County, NC.
(2006 Komen NC Triangle Affiliate Grantee)
MRI Screening for High Risk Women (Durham,
NC)
919.668.2005
Provides bilateral MRIs in the Duke University
Medical Center Outreach Area for highest-risk,
pre-menopausal women. (2006 Komen NC Triangle
Affiliate Grantee)
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
www.nbcam.com
Many mammography facilities offer special
fees and extended hours for mammograms during
October.
North Carolina Breast and Cervical Cancer
Control
Program (NCBCCCP)
919.707.5300
BCCCP provides screening for breast or cervical
cancer at no cost for women who have limited
or no insurance, do not have Medicare Part
B or Medicaid, and meet income guidelines.
Priority is given to women ages 50-64 and
ethnic minorities. In North Carolina, call
800.4.CANCER or the BCCCP number above to
find programs in your area.
North Carolina Cancer Assistance Program
North Carolina Division of Public Health
919.707.5321 or 866.693.2656
Provides financial assistance for diagnostic
or treatment services to qualified applicants.
Applicants must be North Carolina residents,
meet financial and certain medical requirements.
Patient’s doctor must submit a letter
for the patient. Services must be pre-approved;
there is a maximum per pre-approved claim
of $25,000. The program approves up to 8
days of service for the diagnosis of cancer
per year.
Patient Navigator Program (Durham, NC)
919.668.3051
A program of Duke University Medical Center
that provides support for women in need who
have been diagnosed or are at high risk of,
breast cancer. Navigators help patients with
services and appointments. Services may include
mammography/ultrasound, parking and transportation
assistance (based on funding availablity).
Contact Stephanie Robertson at 919.668.3051
for more information. (2006 Komen NC Triangle
Affiliate Grantee)
Plugging the Gap (Wake County)
919.833.7534
This program from Planned Parenthood, based
in Raleigh, offers free mammograms and follow-up
services when breast abnormalities are discovered
during routine annual exams for women under
age 40. (2006 Komen NC Triangle Affiliate
Grantee)
Project Pink (Vance County)
Maria Parham Medical Center and Vance County
Health Department
252.436.1605
Provides funds for breast cancer screening
and support services for women in need in
Vance County. (2006 Komen NC Triangle Affiliate
Grantee)
Financial Assistance with Treatment
Disability
Benefits—Social
Security
Social Security Administration
800.772.1213
www.ssa.gov
If you cannot work, regardless of your age,
you may be eligible for Social Security disability
benefits if your disability has lasted or
will last for six months or longer. To apply,
see the web site or call the toll-free number
above to apply. Social Security pays disability
benefits under two programs:
- Social Security
Disability Income (SSDI):
If you have been
working and contributing to Social Security
for several years, you may qualify for
SSDI. However, you must meet the government’s
narrow definition of disabled. If you get
turned down, it is best to reapply. You
may need to reapply more than once; some
cases are more likely to be approved after
2-3 denials and a subsequent hearing before
a judge. When approved, benefits do not
begin until the sixth full month of disability.
Your income has nothing to do with whether
you qualify for SSDI.
- Supplemental Security
Income (SSI):
If you have not worked much, or your
income was very low before you became
unable to work, you may be eligible for
SSI. This program helps people who are
disabled, over age 65 and/or blind. To
qualify, your income and assets must
be below a certain level. If you do qualify,
SSI will pay you a monthly income.
Hill-Burton Program
800.638.0742 (Toll-free hotline)
www.hrsa.gov/osp/dfcr
Directory of programs by state:
www.hrsa.gov/osp/dfcr/obtain/hbstates.htm
Some hospitals receive funds from the Federal
government, so they can offer free or low-cost
services to those who are unable to pay.
Eligibility is based on family size and income.
You may apply for assistance at any time,
before or after you receive care. Not all
types of treatment are covered. Call the
hotline or see the web site for more information.
- North
Carolina currently has the Hill-Burton
program (or similar program) active at
six facilities across the state: (Piedmont
Health Services, Chapel Hill; Cumberland
County Health Department, Fayetteville;
Snow Hill Medical Center, Snow Hill; New
Hanover Community Health Center, Wilmington;
and Lutheran Nursing Home, Salisbury).
LifeWise Foundation
800.942.2338
www.lifewisefoundation.org
A public charity created to help with financial
burdens of terminally ill patients and their
families. Services include grants to terminally
ill patients who are facing financial challenges,
but are unable to meet the eligibility requirements
for state or private aid. Also provides information
on other sources of financial assistance
and gives advice about effective financial
management in a free Financial Resource Guide.
North Carolina Breast and Cervical
Cancer Medicaid (NCBCCM)
(through local health
departments)
919.707.5300
If your breast cancer was diagnosed through
the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control
Program (BCCCP) at your health department,
you may be eligible for your treatment
costs to be covered through BCCM. To be
eligible, diagnosis of the cancer must
not have been made before being seen through
the BCCCP.
North Carolina Cancer Assistance Program
North Carolina Division of Public Health
919.707.5321 or 866.693.2656
Provides financial assistance for diagnostic
or treatment services to qualified applicants.
Applicants must be North Carolina residents,
meet financial requirements and certain medical
requirements. The patient’s doctor
must submit a letter for the patient. Services
must be pre-approved; there is a maximum
per pre-approved claim of $25,000.
Veterans
Health Administration Cancer Program
Department of Veteran Affairs
800.827.1000 or 800.733.8387
www.va.gov
Eligible veterans and their dependents may
receive cancer treatment at a Veterans Administration
Medical Center at no cost. CHAMPVA is an
additional healthcare benefits program for
dependents or survivors of veterans who meet
certain criteria.
Financial Assistance with Medication
Ask your doctor if you can purchase any
of your medications from Canada, where drugs
are much cheaper. Also, ask if you may be
able to split your pills. Pharmaceutical
companies usually charge similar amounts
for a drug no matter what the strength. You
may be able to get a double-strength dose
of tablets and then cut them in half with
an inexpensive pill cutter. Be sure to check
with your doctor to see whether this is feasible
for your medications; it may not be.
American Cancer Society (ACS)
800.227.2345 or 866.228.4327 (TTY)
www.cancer.org
Provides limited financial assistance in
a “Stop Gap” fund when there
are no community resources available or when
delays in receiving them are unacceptable.
Funds are for transportation, emergency medication
and supplies.
American Pain Foundation
888.615.PAIN (7246) (Automated information)
www.painfoundation.org
This web site has information and tips about
financial issues related to pain medication.
Click on Patient Information to the left,
then page down and click on Financial Information.
Cancer Services, Inc. (Winston-Salem, NC)
336.760.9983 or 800.228.7421
www.cancer-services.com
A local North Carolina non-profit organization
serving Davie, Forsyth, Stokes, and Yadkin
counties. Has a cancer medication fund.
Common Thread for the Cure (Winston-Salem,
NC)
336.725.1371
Statewide program that provides financial
assistance for women with breast cancer who
have connections to any area of the furniture
industry.
Co-Pay Relief
866.512.3861
www.copays.org
A program of the Patient Advocate Foundation.
Provides direct co-payment help for prescription
drugs to insured people who financially and
medically qualify. Call counselors for assistance
with the process.
Linking A.R.M.S.
800.I’M.AWARE (800.462.9273)
A partnership between Susan G. Komen Foundation
and CancerCare. Offers limited financial
assistance for oral medications, pain and
anti-nausea medication, lymphedema support,
and supplies, and medical equipment.
Needy Meds
www.needymeds.com
This web site is designed to help people
find drug assistance programs. Search by
pharmaceutical company or by drug name. Updated
frequently.
Pharmaceutical
Research & Manufacturers
of America (PhRMA)
800.762.4636
www.phrma.org
Publishes the Directory of Prescription Drug
Patient Assistance Programs, which lists
drug companies that offer prescription drugs
free to doctors whose patients cannot afford
them. Most major drug companies do this;
however, many are phasing this out due to
changes in Medicare. Patients cannot apply
to the drug companies directly—doctors
must apply for their patients, but patients
can call the drug companies listed to obtain
applications and information in order to
speed the process for their doctors. Eligibility
requirements vary from program to program.
Senior PHARMAssist (Durham, NC)
919.688.4772
www.seniorpharmassist.org
A program in Durham County that helps older
adults (65+) with limited incomes purchase
medications and coordinates with their healthcare
providers to ensure effective and affordable
medications for them.
Assistance with Prostheses
(Breast Forms), Wigs and Medical Supplies
First, check with your
local hospital or cancer center—they
sometimes have wig banks and other supplies
in-house. Also, see our Suppliers
of Breast Cancer Products & Services
for stores and companies across North Carolina
that offer discounts on prostheses, wigs,
lymphedema supplies and more.
American Cancer Society
800.ACS.2345 or 866.228.4327 (TTY)
www.cancer.org
The Patient Donations program has free goods
and services such as wigs, medical supplies,
home care, and nutritional supplements that
were donated.
Cancer Services, Inc. (Winston-Salem, NC)
336.760.9983 or 800.228.7421 (in North Carolina)
www.cancer-services.com
A local North Carolina nonprofit organization
that serves Davie, Forsyth, Stokes, and Yadkin
counties. Has free medical equipment and
supplies available.
Women Helping Women (Raleigh, NC)
919.846.1203
www.whwnc.org
Nonprofit organization assists low-income,
uninsured, or underinsured women financially
with purchase of prostheses, wigs, hats and
turbans, and with emergency medical funds.
Provides information about follow-up care
and resources available. Currently services
the Triangle area, and other North Carolina
counties where possible.
Assistance with Lodging
First, ask the social worker or nurse at
the hospital where you receive treatment
if local hotels and motels offer a discount
to those receiving treatment at the hospital,
or if there is a Host Homes program. Some
also offer free transportation to the hospital.
National Association of Hospital Hospitality
Houses
828.253.1188 or 800.542.9730
www.nahhh.org
Helps provide free or low-cost family-centered
lodging and support services to people needing
medical treatment away from home and families.
Call the toll-free number or see web site
for updated listing and contact info for
North Carolina houses. Currently, 14 hospitality
or similar-type houses are in North Carolina:
Asheville:
Lewis Rathbun Center,
828.251.0595,
www.lewisrathbuncenter.org
Chapel Hill: Adult Family Housing of UNC,
919.966.4349
Charlotte:
Hospitality House
of Charlotte,
704.384.6058,
www.hospitalityhouseofcharlotte.org
Durham:
Caring House,
919.490.5449,
http://caringhouse.com;
Hope Homes,
919.620.3504,
www.huntershope.org;
Duke Host Homes,
inquire
at Duke University Medical Center,
888.275.3853
or 919.681.4688
Elizabeth
City:
Wesley Hospitality House,
252.335.7117,
www.whh-nc.org
Fayetteville:
Stanton Hospitality House,
call 800.542.9730
for contact information
Ft. Bragg:
Fisher
House,
call 800.542.9730 for contact information
Greenville:
American Cancer
Society McConnell-Raab Hope Lodge,
252.695.6143 or 800.282.4914
Hickory:
Carpenter Hospitality House,
828.324.6896
High
Point:
Kimberly House,
call 800.542.9730
for contact information
Pinehurst:
FirstHealth
of the Carolinas,
910.215.5350
Wilmington:
Hospital Hospitality House of Wilmington,
910.763.3039
Winston-Salem:
Friendship Place/The
Hawthorne Inn,
336.777.3000 ext.
1120,
www1.wfubmc.edu/radiationoncology/patient+information
Assistance with Transportation
Transportation services are available in
many communities. Although they vary, they
are usually one of these three types:
- Low-cost van service
run by community agencies or hospitals.
- Volunteer
transportation services where someone
will drive you in their car.
- Private transportation
services (vans and taxis) that nonprofit
groups will help you pay for.
Here are some ideas to help you find transportation:
- Start with family
and friends. Often they want to help,
and this is something they can do.
- Check
with your hospital to find out if they
have a van service or volunteer transportation
services.
- See if you can set up a
carpool with other patients.
- Check with
community agencies (YMCA, churches, fraternal
orders, etc.) to find out if they can
help.
- Ask local taxi services
if they can offer you a discount rate if
you use them regularly.
For air flights, see the listings below
or call the airline to see if they have a
medical discount program.
Air Ambulance for North Carolina and South
Carolina
Phoenix Air Services
704.867.8975
No fees, but donations accepted. Full life-support
system on all planes. Must meet eligibility
requirements.
Air Care Alliance
918.745.0384 or 888.260.9707
www.aircareall.org
The Air Care Alliance is a nationwide league
of humanitarian flying organizations whose
volunteer pilots are dedicated to community
service. These organizations provide air
transport for patients and sometimes for
family members needing to get to treatment.
Airlifeline
877.AIR-LIFE (877.247.5433)
www.nffr.org/airlifeline.org
A network of volunter pilots that provide
free air transportation so patients can reach
medical treatment that would otherwise be
inaccessible.
American Cancer Society (ACS)
800.227.2345 or 866.228.4327 (TTY)
www.cancer.org
Has up to $150 per patient per year financial
assistance available for transportation or
medication. The Road to Recovery program
links trained volunteers with patients who
need rides to outpatient appointments.
Angelbus
www.angelbus.org
Dedicated to providing compassionate ground
transportation for those in need.
Angel Flight America
800.446.1231
www.angelflightamerica.org
Free air transportation for needy patients
to specialized healthcare facilities.
CancerCare
800.813.HOPE (4673)
www.cancercare.org
Sponsors limited financial assistance for
cancer patients. Funds are for home care,
child care, and transportation, pain medications,
chemotherapy, radiation and lymphedema services.
There are income guidelines.
Cancer Services, Inc. (Winston-Salem, NC)
336.760.9983 or 800.228.7421
www.cancer-services.com
A local North Carolina non-profit organization
that serves Davie, Forsyth, Stokes, and Yadkin
counties. Has transportation assistance available.
Corporate Angel Network, Inc.
914.328.1313 or 866.328.1313
www.corpangelnetwork.org
Provides free air transportation to cancer
patients traveling to and from cancer treatment
centers, using empty seats on corporate aircraft.
No financial requirements, but you must be
able to walk and travel without life support.
Register within three weeks of a specific
appointment at a recognized cancer treatment
center.
National Patient Travel Center
c/o Mercy Medical Airlift
757.318.9174 or 800.296.1217
www.patienttravel.org
Provides assistance with long distance travel
for medical evaluation, diagnosis or treatment.
Makes referrals to organizations based on
distance needed to travel and medical condition
of patient.
Assistance with Meals
Meals on Wheels
Provides home-delivered meals to those in
need. If you need to have meals delivered
to your home or the home of a loved one,
call the ElderCare Locator number at 800.677.1116
to get the number of the Meals on Wheels
program closest to your area.
Assistance with Utilities
Contact your county Department
of Social Services office for assistance.
They often have information on programs to
help with heating and cooling costs and other
utility expenses.
Assistance with Child Care
or Home Care
CancerCare
800.813.HOPE (4673)
www.cancercare.org
Sponsors limited financial assistance for
cancer patients. Funds are for home care,
child care, and transportation, pain medications,
chemotherapy, radiation and lymphedema services.
There are income guidelines.
OTHER RESOURCES TO CONSIDER
CancerCare
800.813.4673 (HOPE)
www.cancercare.org
All services free; staffed by social work
professionals who provide counseling, tips
and support and help find resources, including
financial, in your area. See “Financial
Help for People With Cancer” on web
site.
Cancer
Survival Toolbox—Finding
Ways to Pay for Care
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
301.650.9127 or 877.NCCS.YES (622.7937)
www.canceradvocacy.org
A free audiotape designed to help underinsured
or uninsured people who are having difficulty
finding and getting the care they need.
Caring Community Foundation (Cary, NC)
www.caringcommunityfoundation.org
i
The Foundation works with clinics and hospitals
in the Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill,
and other NC areas to identify patients with
financial challenges, and to provide assistance
with expenses such as rent, utilities, food,
prescription medications, and other items.
Finding
the Money: A Guide to Paying Your Medical
Bills, by Diane Pammenter Tolley
(2001). Drawing from her experience as an
insurance salesperson, a fundraiser, and
the mother of a BMT patient, Tolley offers
a host of practical suggestions on how to
assess what your transplant and after-care
will cost, and how to track and pay for your
bills.
Gardeners for Hope: Joan Balch Breast Cancer
Fund
(Greenville, NC)
252.744.2900
Fund administered by Leo W. Jenkins Cancer
Center to assist breast cancer patients who
are challenged financially or in special
need of encocuragement. Funds are used to
buy wigs, prostheses, wound dressings and
other health products.
Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation (Cape
Hatteras, NC)
252.986.2170
www.hicf.org
Foundation raises funds to offer financial
support to cancer patients and their families
who live on Hatteras Island. Helps pay for
medical costs not reimbursed, travel expenses
to medical centers for cancer treatment.
Also provides community service support to
cancer patients and their families.
National Cancer Institute: Support and Resources
800.4.CANCER
www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/support
This page offers an overview of support and
financial assistance resources for people
with cancer. If you do not have Web access,
call the toll-free number for information.
Pretty in Pink Foundation (Raleigh, NC)
919.532.0532 or info@prettyinpinkfoundation.org
www.prettyinpinkfoundation.org
This new fund was created to assist women
ages 40 - 64, with little or no health insurance,
in receiving necessary medical treatment,
education and support they might not otherwise
be able to afford. Contact for more information
and eligibility requirements.
“Taking
Charge of Money Matters”
from the American Cancer Society
800.227.2345
www.cancer.org
A workshop for people with cancer and those
who care about them. Addresses concerns about
money that arise during or after a person’s
cancer treatment, regardless of whether the
person has health insurance. Provides an
opportunity to discuss key money matters
with guest speakers knowledgeable about financial
planning. Call to find out if this workshop
is available in your area or see the web
site for financial aid information.
INFORMATION AND REFERRAL (I & R) SERVICES
IN NORTH CAROLINA
Information and Referral
Services (I & R’s)
can refer you to agencies and programs that
provide clothing, counseling, credit and
budget help, adult and child day care, death
and dying services, meals, elder services,
financial assistance and information, home
health services, legal aid, free medical
clinics, translators, transportation and
more. Most hotlines are available 24 hours
a day, seven days a week, and are bilingual.
Regional & Statewide I & R
Services
ACCESS Information Services
(Serves Fayetteville/Cumberland County)
910.483.7727
CARELINE (statewide information)
800-662-7030 or 877.452.2514 (TTY)
www.nccareline.org
Available Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00
pm.
Has Spanish-speaking operators
Care Connection
(Serves North Wilkesboro/Wilkes County)
336.667.2273
First Call for Help
(Serves New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick
Counties)
910.397.0497 or 800.672.2903
First Call for Help
(Serves Shelby/Cleveland County)
828.487.1111
Help, Inc.
(Serves Rockingham County)
336.342.3331
Infoline
(Serves Lexington/Davidson County)
336.244.0083
Information and Referral Services of Iredell
(Serves Statesville/Iredell County)
704.872.2900
REAL Crisis Intervention, Inc.
(Serves Greenville/Pitt County)
252.758.4357
Rowan Information and Referral, Inc.
(Serves Salisbury/Rowan County)
704.638.3131
United Way NC 2-1-1
(Serves Burke, Catawba, Chatham, Davidson,
Davie, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Orange,
Randolph, Rockingham and Wake Counties)
Dial 211
www.nc211.org
United Way NC 2-1-1, Central Carolina
(Serves Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Union Counties)
Dial 211
www.uwcentralcarolinas.org
or
www.irissoft.com/uwcc
United Way 2-1-1, Western Carolina
(Serves Buncombe, Henderson and Transylvania
Counties)
Dial 211
www.211wnc.org
United Way 2-1-1, Catawba
(Serves Catawba County)
Dial 211
www.irissoft.com/cata
United Way of Moore County Helpline
(Serves Southern Pines/Moore County)
910.695.HELP (4357)
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