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232-HELP PROGRAMS
In addition to information and
referral, 232-HELP/211 also operates numerous social service programs. Follow
the links below for more information on the individual programs and how
to apply.

The
Milk Fund
The Milk Fund was established in
1969 as a cooperative endeavor between The Daily Advertiser, Borden's and
232-HELP/211 to provide emergency milk to families with children and the elderly
in time of crisis. Funding for this program is generated from the monthly
Milk Fund article in The Daily Advertiser. Donations from
the community support the Milk Fund program. Milk is delivered only to families who have been approved
for food stamps and are in the waiting period. The quantity of
milk received is based upon family size and need.
To qualify for the Milk Fund, the
following program criteria must be met:
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Income level must fall below the Federal
poverty guidelines |
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Client has applied for food stamps
and has been approved, but is in the thirty day waiting period before receiving
them |
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Lives in a Borden's service area in
Acadiana |
To apply for the Milk Fund, either
call 232-HELP/211 directly at (337)
232-4357 or complete the preliminary application.

Donated
Dental Services
The Donated Dental Services Program
(DDS) was established in 1988 to provide free basic dental services to
the elderly, handicapped or medically compromised who lack adequate income
to pay for needed dental care. Volunteer dentists across Acadiana donate
their time and services to the program. DDS is unlike other programs for
special patient populations, in that the dentists donate dental services in their
own offices instead of central treatment centers that may not be easily
accessed by the client. This makes it more convenient for both the
client and dentist.
To qualify for the DDS Program,
the following criteria must be met:
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Handicapped 18 years or older and receiving SSI
and/or Social Security Disability (ex: mental retardation, muscle disorders,
cerebral palsy, epilepsy, developmental disabilities, spinal cord injuries (no
other type of back injury) or mental illnesses (bi-polar, schizophrenia), etc.);
or |
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Medically compromised 18 years or older and
prevented from working (ex: cancer, renal/kidney disease, heart disease, liver
disease, severe diabetes etc.) and receiving SSI and/or Social Security Disability; and all |
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Income level must be at or below the Federal
poverty guidelines |
The program provides: simple extractions (1-5),
restorations (caps, front root canals, crowns, fillings), treatment of
abscesses.
Please make note of the following important
information:
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There is a waiting list for
assistance |
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Proof of income is required |
 |
The DDS Program
does not
provide lifetime dental care |
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The Dentists
do not
donate maintenance cleanings or examinations
after the initial
treatment is complete |
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Dental Services
do not
provide for or include
regular cleanings, full
mouth extractions, dentures/partials/bridges, posterior root canals, space
maintainers or orthodontic treatment |
 |
All dental work
is restricted to the schedule
set up by and mailed to you from 232-HELP/211 Donated Dental Program
as directed by the Dentist providing the services |
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No additional services can or should be requested when visiting the Dentist. |
Dentists are donating their time, equipment and staff for
the scheduled procedures. Please abide by the conditions listed above.
To apply to the DDS Program, either
call 232-HELP/211 directly at (337) 232-4357
or by completing an application.

Project
Rx
In 1991, 232-HELP/211 established Project
Rx, a fund that provides prescription medication to those in financial
distress. Local participating pharmacies offer a discount on all medication filled by
232-HELP/211. Through generous donations and an annual fund-raiser,
Anything
is Pastable, Project Rx continues to help those who could not otherwise
obtain costly but much needed medicine.
232-HELP/211 will assist an individual
with a maximum of $50 per year and $100 maximum per household per year.
No prescriptions for pain medicine, tranquilizers or other narcotics are
filled. Generic brands must be used when available.
To qualify for assistance through
Project Rx, a person must meet the following criteria:
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Reside in Lafayette, St. Martin, Vermilion, St.
Landry, Acadia, Avoyelles and Iberia (limited assistance) parishes. |
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Have a doctor's prescription for the
medication |
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Income level must fall below the Federal
poverty guidelines |
To apply for assistance through Project
Rx, call 232-HELP/211 (337-232-4357).
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For long-term prescription medication needs, you must come in with all of your prescriptions so that we can access the Patient Assistance Program (PAP) that best fit your needs. For additional information, please call 232-HELP/211 (337-232-4357).
Additionally, if you are not eligible for Medicare and do not have prescription medication coverage, you may be eligible for a prescription discount card. You may call us at 232-HELP/211 (337-232-4357) for assistance or apply online by clicking the Together Rx Access™ logo.
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Transportation
The Transportation program was
implemented to assist people with transportation to appointments at medical
facilities outside of Acadiana. 232-HELP/211 will either purchase a bus ticket
with Greyhound Bus Lines which offers a charity rate to clients referred
by us, or pay for a tank of gas. All appointments are verified before assistance
is given.
To qualify for our Transportation
program the following criteria must be met:
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Income level must fall below the Federal
poverty guidelines |
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Proof of a medical appointment outside
of Acadiana |
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Applicants are normally helped once
in a six month period |
To apply for assistance with transportation,
either call 232-HELP/211 directly at (337) 232-4357
or complete a preliminary application.

Eye
Care for the Elderly & Handicapped
This program provides a free eye
exam to the elderly, age 62 and over and the handicapped (18 years and older) in
Acadiana. Area ophthalmologists volunteer their services. The
program only helps with the eye exam, not frames and lenses if glasses
are prescribed. However, we have a box of donated frames (used) at the
office for clients.
To qualify for a free eye exam
the following criteria must be met:
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Senior citizens age 62 and over; or |
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Handicapped 18 years and over; and |
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Income level must fall below the Federal
poverty guidelines |
To apply for the Eye Care for
the Needy Program, call 232-HELP/211 directly at (337)
232-4357 or complete a preliminary application.

Medical
Appliance Loan Program
In conjunction with Lafayette's
Beaver Club, the program furnishes wheelchairs, crutches, walkers and other
medical appliances to eligible individuals. The Beaver Club purchases,
repairs and supplies the appliances, and 232-HELP/211 screens and maintains
client and appliance records. Clients are responsible for the appliance
and must sign a "use agreement" before they take possession of the appliance.
To qualify for the Medical Appliance
Loan Program the following criteria must be met:
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Have a true need for a medical appliance |
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Reside in Acadiana |
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Sign a "use agreement" form |
To apply for the Medical Appliance
Loan Program, either call 232-HELP/211 directly at (337)
232-4357 or complete a preliminary application.

HelpLine
HelpLine is a joint venture between
232-HELP/211 and The Daily Advertiser which offers financial assistance to
those in desperate financial need due to serious illness or catastrophic
personal circumstances. Donations are solicited from the community through
stories published by The Daily Advertiser. All donations are mailed directly
to Bank One and administered by 232-HELP/211. Applicants are evaluated
on an individual basis.
To qualify for HelpLine the following
criteria must be met:
To apply for HelpLine, either call
232-HELP/211 directly at (337) 232-4357
or complete a preliminary application.

All programs are for the Acadiana area
Only (2-1-1 Region IV)
Other
qualifications may apply
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