The national headquarters of the Spina Bifida Association does not have the resources to offer direct financial aid to individuals. However, there are sources of aid that have been helpful to others with similar needs that you may wish to contact.

• Call the nearest SBA affiliated group, United Way or Red Cross Agency and ask whether an emergency resources program is available, or for referral to a local source of assistance.
  
  
• Call the social services department at your Spina Bifida clinic or hospital.
  
  
• Call your city or county health department.

Assistance with hospital care needs is another financial concern. The Hill-Burton Act was passed by Congress in 1946 for help with hospital care needs. In exchange for construction and modernization funding, hospitals and other health facilities agreed to provide a reasonable volume of services to persons unable to pay and to also make services available to all persons residing in the facilities’ area.

To obtain information about these services in your area, call 800-638-0742. If you are at the hospital, ask at the admissions desk for the “Individual Notice” for Hill-Burton free hospital care. This will tell you what the requirements are for eligibility, and what services are provided by the hospital. Once you have applied for free services, the hospital must determine your eligibility within two working days.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for the administration of this program. If you have any problems with this service you may contact the nearest HHS Office to make additional inquiries.

More useful resources like this are in the Resource Directory.