Food Stamps / SNAP / LINK Card

Food stamps are now called “SNAP” and a lot more stores take it than you’d think.

I’ve personally confirmed that Walgreens, CVS, Target, Trader Joe’s, Jewel, Mariano’s, Aldi’s, Walmart, and Whole Foods all take LINK. Some 7-11s and dollar stores do as well. Online I’ve seen BJ’s, Sam’s Club, and Costco referenced as accepting LINK. Basically, if the store has a grocery section and takes credit cards, even if it’s not a grocery store (like Target for example), then they probably accept LINK.

Many local non-chain grocery stores also take the LINK card; you’ll just need to walk in or call and ask. Some bakeries and farmer’s markets may as well, so long as they accept credit cards.

In addition, you can use the LINK card to buy pre-made food, so long as it’s not heated. This means that in the deli section, you can use LINK to purchase the food that’s at room temperature or chilled, but not the food under a heat lamp. If you’re ever not sure, ask the manager or a cashier to confirm that the food item will be covered by the LINK card.

In response to a question I was asked, no, you can’t use LINK to buy dog or cat food, not unless you buy human food and feed it to your pets. However, there are free pet food pantries. You can, however, buy baking soda with LINK and use it to freshen kitty litter boxes.

Information on applying for food stamps (Food stamps are now called SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

Food stamps (aka SNAP) eligibility calculator
Use this to figure out if you are eligible for food stamps (aka SNAP) and if so, how much you might get.

Information for once you get approved for food stamps (aka SNAP) and are given a LINK card

How does a LINK card work?
Basically, it works like a debit card and looks like one. If you are eligible for food stamps, the card will be reloaded with money every month on a set date, until you are found to not be eligible anymore. This determination is generally made by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and is based on if your earnings, income, economic resources, or living expenses have changed. If you run out of money on your LINK card, then your options are to pay using your own money or put the food item back on the shelf and visit a free food pantry if necessary.

Sliding-Scale Psychiatric and Counseling Services

Update on 3/26/14

With the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), it’s hopefully easier for people to become insured and thus to find affordable psychiatric and counseling services.

The deadline to sign up is March 31st. To be honest, I’m not sure what will happen if you find yourself uninsured after March 31st.

For more details on the Affordable Care Act, please see my post on that subject.

(Last updated 5/14/12)

If you are uninsured or cannot afford your copay for counseling, it’s often helpful to contact universities and hospitals to see if they offer sliding-scale services and to call DBSA or your local NAMI to ask if they can provide you with some suggestions based on your location.

Compared to finding a therapist, it is much more difficult to find a place that offers sliding-scale psychiatric services so that you can see a psychiatrist and get prescription medication. It would be best to start out by calling DBSA or your local NAMI to ask for referrals. If those referrals don’t pan out, you might want to contact the closest City of Chicago Mental Health Center. Please note that due to budget cuts, several locations have been closed. There is a way to see a psychiatrist and get free medications from Stroger Hospital, but it is very time-consuming.

Below are some places that I have found so far. Please call them first to verify that they offer sliding-scale and to ask if their fees have changed. If you know of a resource that isn’t in this list, please feel free to leave a comment or email me.

Please also read my post How to Choose a Therapist.

Adler School of Professional Psychology
Dreikurs Psychological Services Center
65 E. Wacker Place
(312) 327-0959

Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital
938 W Nelson (Wellington Brown)
(773) 296-3220

C4
multiple locations
(773) 761-9000
Lowest is $8

Cathedral Counseling
50 East Washington Street
(312) 252-9500

Catholic Charities
641 W. Lake Street
(312) 655-7725

Chicago Center for Family Health
20 North Wacker Drive
(312) 372-4731

Jewish Child and Family Services
(773) 866-5035
Multiple locations including:
Adult and Family Services
3525 W Peterson Ave, Chicago, IL
773 866 5035

Family Institute at Northwestern University
(847) 773-4300
Multiple locations including one in Loop and one in Evanston
Therapist is a doctoral student
Individual and couples: lowest may be $0

Lakeview Center on Psychotherapy
3322 North Ashland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 525-3322
DBT group led by doctoral student: lowest is $1
Individual DBT: lowest is $5
Might have other forms of individual and group therapy
*Also has a mental illness support group

Swedish Covenant Hospital
Anderson Pavilion
2751 W Winona Ave. Suite 253
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 878-8200
Therapist is a doctoral student
Individual and couples: lowest is $0 – $5
Does not offer group

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City of Chicago Mental Health Centers (MHC)

Please call in advance to verify that the location you’re interested in hasn’t been shut down.

Englewood MHC
641 W. 63rd Street
(312) 747-7496
Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Greater Grand/MID-South MHC
4314 S Cottage Grove
(312) 747-0036
Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

Greater Lawn MHC
4150 West 55th Street
(312) 747-1020
Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Lawndale MHC
1201 S Campbell Street
(312) 746-5905
Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

North River MHC
5801 North Pulaski Road
(312) 744-1906
Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

Roseland MHC
200 East 115th Street
(312) 747-7320
Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

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John H. Stroger Hospital
Fantus Health Center aka Fantus Clinic
(the walk-in clinic at Stroger Hospital)

621 S. Winchester Ave
Chicago, IL 60612
312-864-6221

From a guest editor in 2009:

Stroger is the absolute last-ditch option for anyone in Chicago with no health insurance. It is the city-run hospital, and one that is absolutely swamped with people right now. You can see a doctor every day (with common specialists also available), as long as you are willing to jump through as many hoops as possible.

First, you have to make it to the West Loop location by 7AM, or you’ve lost your chance completely. Then, you have to be one of the first 85 people checked in, or again they turn you away. Then you wait in the waiting room until they call your name, and you have to be seen before closing time, or you don’t get seen at all and are told to come back again the next day.

If you’re lucky enough to get seen, you also have to file additional paperwork for Stroger’s discount plan, information on which is only given out if you are already being seen. Luckily, any medications prescribed to you are then free, but you may have to wait a large number of hours to be seen at all.

Illinois Healthy Women Pink Card

The Illinois Healthy Women Card is a pink-colored slip of paper that allows for certain types of free gynecological care and related medications, such as birth control. It is a very limited form of health insurance available to women who are low-income, but do not meet the full criteria for Medicaid.

It can be used at Planned Parenthood and you can call and ask doctors and pharmacies to see if they’ll accept it.

However, because of how limited it is, it can be difficult to be sure of what services are covered. The website lists several covered services and there is a toll free number to call as well, 800-226-0768. Before making the appointment, you can also call the doctor you want to see to make sure that the visit will be covered.

For more information and to apply, visit http://www.illinoishealthywomen.com/

If you have experience with the Pink Card or similar programs, please let me know.

How to Choose a Therapist

Another great post by therapydoc:

Choosing a Therapy Doc, Or Is That A Dodo Bird?

[…]

Bottom line? If you don’t feel a connection with your therapist after the second visit, if you don’t feel you can relate, then you probably should discuss it to see why you may not make a good team. There isn’t a therapist on earth who relates to everyone, and that’s as it should be.

Now. Armed with that very limited treatment overview, that first phone call should go as follow:

Patient: Hi, I got your name from ________ and wondered if you were taking new patients.

Therapist: Sure, but first, very briefly, tell me what you’re looking for.

Then the patient provides a brief summary of the problem, i.e., I want to save my marriage, or I lost my mother, or My wife if cheating on me, or My kid is thirty and won’t leave home, that sort of thing. Whatever it is. Brief.

The therapist then hopefully responds with an empathetic remark, like, Oh, dear. That must not feel so good. Let me see what I have for you, see if our schedules match up, if I can get you in. When did you want to come in? What day/time is best for you?

IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE ANY MORE COMPLICATED THAN THAT.

Then, at the set appointment time, the patient discusses the problem and the goals and objectives of the therapy, assuming that these are actually important to him. Sometimes they’re not. Sometimes people really do just want to talk, and talk, for weeks and months, indefinitely, and that’s fine, too.

But if a patient has something in mind, certain goals to accomplish, the therapist should somehow communicate that these can be accomplish. The therapist should have a clue as to how. Because face it, the patient doesn’t.

It’s like a first and second date. You really don’t have to see a person a second or third time if you know, deep down, that it’s not a good fit. ….”

——-

My two cents:

Oftentimes your first meeting with a therapist is an intake, during which the therapist may do little more than take notes, so it may take several meetings with him or her to decide if you like the therapist.

While it is troublesome and time consuming to switch therapists and go through the intake process all over it again, it is likely better than staying with a therapist that you think is not helpful to you. If the therapist has a practice with other therapists, you may be able to switch therapists without going through the intake process all over again.

Some helpful hints:

– Research different forms of therapy to see which forms you may like better and which ones you do not think will work for you, then ask the therapist (or the receptionist) if the therapist practices that form of therapy. Unfortunately, the receptionist will probably not know and the therapist might just say he or she is eclectic, but it is worth asking.

– ALWAYS make sure that you understand the billing process. Does the therapist take your insurance(s)? If not, what is the fee? Is there a copay? How is payment made? This should be done for any medical appointment.

– As you people you trust for suggestions, whether they be a friend, fellow support group member, or a professional you are already seeing. Word of mouth is an excellent way to quality therapists, psychiatrists, social workers, etc.

– Be open to seeing a student who offers sliding-scale fees if you cannot afford a licensed therapist. Usually, the student is being supervised by a licensed clinician. While a Master’s student is not likely to have a lot of experience, a Doctoral student might.

– To figure out what degree your potential or current therapist has, please see my post “Understanding Those Letters that Come After People’s Names.” Of course, you can always ask them directly. 🙂

Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)

The Department of Rehabilitation Services is meant to help people with disabilities find jobs. I have found from personal experience and talking to others that the quality of the services offered by DRS varies greatly from office to office, even within the same state.

One of the services I was offered was help paying for school. However, two counselors told me that DRS was unable to pay toward grad school or a second bachelor’s. However, you might be able to get help paying for your first Associate’s or Bachelor’s. I strongly suggest asking your counselor if you have any questions about this as soon as possible.

At least at the offices I went to, it was clear that the counselors were only equipped to help people looking for entry-level minimum wage jobs and/or help review a cover letter or resume. However, if you’re affiliated with a college or university, I suggest contacting the Career Services office there first because they’re more likely to get back to you in a timely manner than DRS simply because they’re likely to have a smaller caseload.

DRS can also help you attain some of the specialized equipment you need for school and/or work that is related to your disability. For example, a friend of mine with severe visual impairment was able to have DRS cover the costs of the computer software she needed. However, she told me that it was a very lengthy and difficult process to get this done.

Overall:

Like with any other official documentation you receive, you should respond as soon as possible to any notices or letters instructing you to contact or meet with your DRS counselor. Oftentimes, failure to do so by the deadline can result in changes being made to your benefits and/or ability to get benefits.

Also, it’s probably worth giving your DRS counselor a try to see if she or he can help you. If you’re having a difficult time with your assigned DRS counselor, you might want to request to see a different person or even to go to a different office.

The Ark: Services for Uninsured and Low-Income Jews

All Services Are Free

The Ark

Homepage

6450 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60645
773.973.1000
Fax: 773.973.4362
ark@arkchicago.org

The Ark has regular business hours, is open later on Wednesdays for dinner and medical services, and closes at 2pm on Fridays. It is closed Saturday, Sunday, and during Jewish holidays.

Getting There

Bus: 155 Devon bus to California or 93 California bus to Devon
El stop: None nearby
Parking: Has its own free parking lot and some street parking. Please read signs carefully.

Social Services

Medical Doctors
– Primary care, psychiatrist, dental, and some other specialists
– On-site pharmacy that dispenses free prescription medications and some over-the-counter medications
– People with health insurance are ineligible for these services

Psychological Services
– Individual and couples therapy with licensed social workers
– Outpatient day program with therapy groups including art therapy
– People with health insurance may be ineligible for these services

Kosher Pantry
– Clients can use the pantry once a month at specific times

Kosher Meals
– Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday lunches
– Wednesday dinner at 5pm
– Can request vegetarian meals
– On certain holidays, meals are delivered to clients’ homes

Thrift Store
– Located in Wicker Park, accessible by the blue line, buses, with limited parking by other stores
– Depending on your eligibility, it is possible to get vouchers for the thrift store in order to get household items for free

Homeless Shelter
– The Ark also runs a homeless shelter

Becoming a Client

To become eligible for the above services, you go through an intake where they verify that you are Jewish, financially needy, and assess what services you need. They serve all types of Jews (Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, etc) though they are associated with an Orthodox synagogue. The workers appear to follow a conservative dress code, though this is not true of the people who utilize their services.

Religious Services

The Ark also offers talks on Jewish issues, services, and some holiday celebrations. The Rabbi gives talks as part of the Tuesday and Thursday lunches and is often present during the day.

If you go to The Ark for services, please feel free to leave a comment about your experiences.

Getting Medicaid When You’re Disabled

Eligibility

In Illinois, once you are certified as disabled by the federal government, that is, you are receiving Social Security Disability payments, you become eligible for Medicare regardless of income or assets depending on when you were certified as disabled. There is no further application process and you receive your medical card in the mail. In order to find out when you can expect the card, it might be a good idea to call and ask the caseworker who handled your Social Security Disability case.

In addition, once you are certified as disabled you may become eligible for Medicaid if you meet additional income and assets guidelines. Medicaid will help cover the costs of the Medicare premiums and co-pays. In this case, Medicare will become your primary insurance and Medicaid will be your secondary insurance.

Applying for Medicaid

However, you don’t automatically get Medicaid; you have to apply for it first.

Working with DHS offices can be very time consuming and difficult. While applications can be done online or by mail, if you have the time, it is generally best to go in person. Otherwise, when you follow-up on your application, you may find that DHS has no record of it and thus has not considered your case. By waiting in line and submitting the application in person, you can at least be assured that it got there.

It should also be noted that the Wicker Park DHS office has a tendency to not return calls, so if you are seeking to follow-up on your case, it is best to go in-person. The same is true if you need to reschedule an appointment. For each visit to this location, plan to allot at least forty-five minutes if you need drop off something and at least two to three hours if you need to speak to someone unless you have an appointment.

Once You Have Medicaid

Your Medicaid card will come monthly in the mail. It is actually a large slip of paper and not business card-sized. Be sure to look out for each new card so as to make sure that your coverage has not been interrupted.

Questions I Would Greatly Appreciate Help With

1) Can you get Medicaid once you are receiving Social Security Disability payments or do you have to wait until you are enrolled in Medicare?

2) What conditions can people without children gain coverage for without having been first found disabled by Social Security?

3) What is the best way to get questions about Medicaid
answered? While it is often easy to talk to a live person when calling Medicare, it is more difficult to do this when calling Medicaid.

If you’ve applied to or are enrolled in Medicaid, please feel free to leave comments about your experiences.

Thresholds – Dincin Center for Recoveries

Dincin Center for Recoveries
2700 North Lakeview Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 537-3215 ‎
http://www.thresholds.org

Thresholds has many free programs for people with mental illness. One of them is a community center called the Dincin Center.

Dincin Center doesn’t have its own website but if you call or go in you can find out about what programs are going on that day, which generally include mental health groups, free cooked meals, and an activity. The building is really old and the offices a bit dreary, but the people inside are generally friendly. There is a lot of area to hang out or sit quietly by yourself. The building also contains a computer room with printers, an activity room with a large TV, a craft room, a piano, a pool table, a washer and dryer, and a free clothing room that could use some organizing. Available on-site are other services including case management and employment support.

The Dincin Center serves only people with mental illness. To get a case manager you have to attend groups and come in several times a week. After this, you can become a member and gain access to other services.

Reduced Cost Medications

DISCLAIMER: We are not doctors and nothing written in this blog should be taken as medical advice. It is meant to complement, not replace, the relationship with your doctor. Please check all information with your doctor, pharmacist, insurance company, and mental health treatment team. We cannot attest to the veracity of everything in this post.

Please note: This post has been written by both my friend JC and myself. He also deserves credit for the research entailed in this post.

Psychiatric medications, like most medications, are not cheap. Oftentimes, the high price is due to the fact that the medication is still patented, and so there is no generic alternative. The federal government has repeatedly introduced programs for pharmaceutical companies to extend their patents, and it appears that many medications may be delayed in becoming generic. However, there are some ways to cut down on costs, rather than forgo your medications altogether.

Always Check to See if There is a Generic – Just Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist

By federal law, generics are required to be just as effective as name-brand medications. Always ask the person prescribing your medication if it’s generic, and if not, if there is an alternative with a generic version. If you are having financial difficulties, you can tell your doctor this and ask if there’s a generic medication that can be substituted for the name brand one. To fully know your options, do your research at home. Your doctor may not know all the generics that exist and may not readily think of substitutes, especially in cases where a generic has only recently become available. It would probably be best to print out any relevant information you find to show it to your doctor directly.

One thing to be careful of is if the dosing is different for the same medication based on if it is name-brand or generic. For example, the name-brand medication might come in 88mg and 100mg but the generic only comes in 100mg. For this, you might have to split the pills or have the amount be slightly off. Always check with your doctor first.

Another issue with generics (and even within the same name-brand medication) is that sometimes there are several different release formulas for the same medication. For example, you may have been prescribed “extended release” or “sustained release” and the generic does not have this version. You will have to consult with your doctor to see what you should do about this.

To get discount generics, try chain pharmacies. Many such as Target, Walgreens, CVS, Wal-Mart, K-Mart and others offer $4/month generics or a similar deal. Just ask to see the price list and what medications are discounted. Also keep in mind that some programs require an annual fee, while others (which are better deals) offer this without a fee. You will be paying for the medications out of pocket and DO NOT need health insurance to access this discount. For any medications that you can’t afford to get filled, make sure you hold onto your scripts while you shop around.

Discount Programs and Coupons

Asking for Medication Samples From Your Doctor

Some doctors have medication samples that they are able to give out to their patients. They were likely given to them by drug company marketing representatives. Only ask for medications that your doctor has talked about prescribing to you. We don’t know how effective this tactic might be, as your doctor may say no or might not have any samples to give out, but theoretically, it shouldn’t hurt to ask.

Pharmaceutical Company Discounts

Most drug companies, in an effort to improve their public image and remain competitive, have programs in which they give out their medication for free or at a discount rate. Another reason they’re doing this is because they want to discourage people from switching to a competitor’s medication due to economic factors.

Of course, drug companies are businesses. They exist to support their bottom line (and often their shareholders), to keep costs down, and increase profits. The most successful way to do this is to create effective medications that help people who take them, but there have been cases where medications have been hyped beyond their effectiveness. Remember to ask critical questions of your doctor, and make sure you’re comfortable with whatever medications they suggest.

Don’t be surprised if the task for applying for these programs is arduous requiring lots of paperwork, visits to doctors, and long waiting periods. While it may be worth a try, please don’t rely on this as your back-up option.

The best system for searching for these discount programs is the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, which is sponsored by the major pharmaceutical companies. You simply enter the medications you are taking, and it returns a list of programs that are available.

If anyone as any additional suggestions or experiences to share, please let me know!

Tips on Researching Medications

Note: My friend JC is acting as a guest poster. The writing and opinions below are his.

With the boom in the number of types of psychiatric medications today, it’s easy for the average person to get lost in trying to figure out what their actual medication does and how it works. This information has long been available to medical professionals, but by the nature of their work these resources speak in technical terms, which many patients are unfamiliar with.

While I personally use the Nursing Drug Handbook published by Lippincott, which may be useful if you have an average amount of medical terminology knowledge, even this resource can be over the heads of many people. With that in mind, here are some resources that I myself have used in the past, and which may be useful to other people.

CrazyMeds.us

Somewhat poorly named site aside, CrazyMeds.us is a comprehensive site in plain English written by a man who has extensive experience with psychiatric medications. He compiles information from prescribing information sheets (the papers included in every package of pills received by pharmacists, which describes to doctors and pharmacists information on the medication), research articles, and other sources, then presents it in an easy-to-understand format. Medications are broken down into class, so that you can also see what type of medication you are taking.

Unfortunately, the site also suffers from a problem with ease of navigation. The text may be a little hard to read, and finding your specific medication may be difficult at first. However, once you find what you’re looking for, I’m sure you’ll find that this site is an invaluable resource.

Wikipedia

These days, I’m sure everyone is familiar with Wikipedia. As a result of this popularity, many medication articles on the site are pretty well written. Being an encyclopedia, it also describes the technical side of the medication, which may be confusing, but after that section it goes into the patient-oriented side of the medication. These sections often prove very useful, since it goes not only into the scientific side of things, but often the history of the medication and any issues that may have arisen over time.

Unfortunately, depending on the popularity of the medication and random factors, some articles may not be written yet, or may be just a shell. Wikipedia is an entirely voluntary system, and if no one has written anything yet, it won’t be there. Another thing to keep in mind is that, by virtue of being completely open to edits, sometimes incorrect information may sneak into an article. Keep a critical mind, and Wikipedia can be useful.

Conclusion

The immense amount of information on the Internet has opened up new sources for people to find more information on their psychiatric medications in plain English. By using the above resources, you can be more informed about what you’re taking, and maybe learn some interesting tidbits along the way.

Important note: Remember, nothing you read online can replace the trained knowledge of your doctor. The above resources are meant to complement, not replace, the relationship with your doctor. If you are concerned about any information you find on the above resources, see your doctor immediately. Do not make changes to your medication without your doctor’s knowledge and approval. Neither of us are licensed medical professionals.