Resources for Low-Income Families
It is difficult for parents in the upper and middle tax brackets to afford to pay for residential treatment. But it is especially tough on low-income parents.
In this section, we pull together information for families with limited means.
Please help the community. If you know any resources for low-income families, let us know in the Comment section below.
No health insurance
If you do not have insurance, you may qualify for Medicare or Medicaid services. To determine your eligibility for these and other government programs, and to determine what kinds of coverage are provided, contact the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), www.cms.gov, at 1-877-267-2323 (TDD: 1-866-226-1819) and your State's department of insurance.
This Locator provides you with comprehensive information about mental health services and resources and is useful for professionals, consumers and their families, and the public. You can access this information here.
Your State mental health agency will be helpful in telling you how mental health services in your State are funded. In publicly funded mental health centers, such as those run by State, city or county governments, the cost of many services is calculated according to what you can afford to pay. So, if you have a lack of funds, services are still provided. This is called a sliding-scale, or sliding-fee, basis of payment.
In addition, states often work with Federal programs, such as Medicaid, provide financial assistance to eligible individuals or families. Information about medical and health care assistance is available at your county/city social services departments, health and human services department, or Social Security office.
Residential treatment options for low-income families?
We recommend contacting your local
Boys Town. They offer residential treatment services, health care, parenting support and more.
Free or low-cost pharmaceuticals
If your child needs medicine, but you cannot afford her prescription, try Needy Meds. They have information on patient assistance programs, state-sponsored programs and others.
Free or low-cost attorneys
Here is a list of free or low-cost attorneys in CA.
Do you have more information? Then share it with the rest of us. Jot your comments in the space below, or join our Community Forum.
