Assistance
Financial Assistance
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, All America Chapter Financial Assistance Program is based on the principal that significant changes in life can occur because of MS. It is the goal of this program to assist in maintaining personal health, safety and independence for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) during extraordinary circumstances.
People with a confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, registered with the National MS Society and residing in the All America Chapter (AAC) area and who have a need that cannot be met through their own resources or other community resources, will be served by this program.
Determination of need will be evaluated using the following criteria:
- Completed Financial Assistance Application
- Examination of household resources
- Examination of potential community resources to fill need
- Completed financial assistance application
- Verification from your doctor on your diagnosis of MS
- Documentation of need (prescription for medical equipment, etc.)
- Documentation from a vendor/service provider showing cost of the item or service
- Availability of funds
- Cost sharing may be required on some requests
- All documentation must be received within 60 days of the initial request or individual must reapply
Goods & Services Subsidized:
- Durable Medical Equipment
- Auto or Home Modifications
- Window Air Conditioners
- Short Term Professional Counseling
- PT/OT Assessments
- Consumables (Incontinence Supplies, etc.)
- Medical Transportation
- Utilities
- Rent
Good & Services NOT Subsidized include but are not limited to:
- Purchases made before request for assistance was approved
- Medical Bills
- Prescriptions
- Credit Card Payments
- Cable Bill or Internet Service
- Vehicle Repair or Payments
- Insurance Payments
- School Tuition
- Computers
- Taxes (Personal Property or Income Taxes)
- Transportation (except as described above)
- Ongoing Personal Care
- Food
When possible, cost sharing is required, either between the All America Chapter and the requester, or the requester and other community resources.
Only one request per individual for household expenses will be considered per year.
Requests will be assessed by the Chapter Financial Assistance Review Committee and the decision will be communicated to the requester.
Payments for Financial Assistance require 2 - 3 weeks processing, so there cannot be any short notice or emergency requests. Applications must be completed in full and submitted within 60 days to the Chapter office for consideration.
For more information, or to receive an application for financial assistance, please contact the Information Resource Center at 1-800-344-4867 or download the Financial Assistance Application here.
Service Management
(The “MS Navigator”)
We can assist people with MS and their families with situations complex and difficult to manage on your own. Potential outcomes include overcoming or averting crisis, increasing independence, and/or reducing isolation.
The National MS Society staff help people navigate through crises and confusing and frustrating MS-related problems—partnering with you to find solutions, and to assist where further investigation of local resources is needed. We can help you “navigate” through the complexities of dealing with MS.
For more information please contact the Information Resource Center at 1-800-344-4867.
Care Management
The National MS Society will assist people with MS and their families in the most difficult and complex situations when the effects of MS are the most severe and may cause true threats to the physical and/or emotional health and safety of the person with MS and/or the family members. This level of care/case management is undertaken only by credentialed professionals. We can help find appropriate community agencies or independent contractors.
For more information please contact the Information Resource Center at 1-800-344-4867.
Scholarship Program
Open to high school seniors who have been diagnosed with MS, high school seniors who have a parent with MS, and adults living with MS who will be attending an accredited post-secondary institution for the first time.
For more information contact the Information Resource Center at 1-800-344-4867.