You are a tourist on a city street... trying to find your way. How do you get help?

Help Yourself

You use a map or a booklet with information about the city. That's ok... although... feels a bit like work... and is somewhat lonely.

People Helping People

You ask a passer-by for directions... Or simply, a passer-by recognizes your "tourist" behavior, stops on his/her own will and spends 30 seconds (often much more) helping you. You feel good. The passer-by feels even better. Witnessing onlookers feel good too. What happens is an easy, almost instinctive "give and take"... so natural that we don't even think about who "gives", who "takes", or why is this happening. This is not "giving"... people are just helping each other.

So... what is Aidpage?

Aidpage is a free public space on the Web where you can:

• speak out about your problems and needs,
• act upon your need to help others,
• join or organize groups for good causes.

Aidpage fosters informal communication among Aidmates, sharing of experience, and mutual support. Simply posting on Aidpage makes you an Aidmate.

E-Bay enables the simple, direct "people buying from people" over the Internet.

Aidpage enables the simple, direct "people helping people" over the Internet.

Need to know more?

Here are a few links to the aidpages of veteran Aidmates:

• WHO ~ KNEW
• Soulight
• Elaine of TSA
• Ekikaseven
• Lady Christie

See also:

• Instructions: How to Use Aidpage
• How Does Aidpage Work
• Why Aidpage...

The first place to look when you need help to pay your bills.

Everyone is hurting (financially) right now. Recession, depression, call it what you want, the fact of the matter is: there is not enough. Our country has enough, it's just not getting to the people who need it. Families are expected to work more and get by with less. It's ridiculous. When and where will it end? I have revamped my national organizations page to, hopefully, make it more user friendly. In addition, please check out these other incredible pages :

****All direct links are in green or yellow

Please note, even though we try to, we cannot answer every post.

Soulight,

Elaine,

Lady Christie,

Ekikaseven,

The NATIONWIDE organizations listed below can assist you with your basic needs, including: food, clothing, rent, utilities, transportation, back to school needs, medical, dental, and holiday needs.

IF they cannot assist you, they may be able to refer you to someone who can.

211.org

• A service of United way – lists most nonprofit organizations in your local area
• available in most counties (not all)
• available both online and by calling 2-1-1 in your area ( free call)

Support for military personnel and their families
Assistance just for military and their families

Government benefits
Find out what government benefits you may qualify for

Social Services

the first place to go when in need – they can help with child care, child support, rental assistance, food stamps, healthcare, burial assistance, temporary financial assistance, etc.

Local benefits by state
Select a State from the map to view a list of the selected State's benefit programs.

American Public Human Services Association

Internet site that list social service agencies by state. A NATIONWIDE listing of social services offices and applications online

SSA.gov
To apply for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income

FREECYCLE
looking for something? Getting rid of something? Check out FreeCycle!

The following organizations may be able to fill in the gaps, or help, when Social Services cannot:

• Community Action Organization
  
  St Vincent De Paul
  
  Red Cross
  
  United Way
  
  Catholic Charities
  
  Salvation Army
• 
  

Emergency food and shelter board program

• The EFSP National Board does not provide direct client assistance. Direct assistance is provided through a variety of resources, which may include EFSP funding in your community. If you are in search of assistance for yourself or someone you know, you should look in the community services section of your local telephone directory. You should find these pages in the front of your directory and should look for listings for American Red Cross, Catholic Charities or Catholic Social Services, The Salvation Army, United Way Information and Referral, or other non-profit service providers. You may also click on Funded Organizations, here or on the EFSP homepage, to find organizations funded through EFSP in your community who may be able to assist or refer you to the appropriate assistance.

FOOD

FOOD STAMPS - OFFICES BY STATES

government program part of social services
WIC
Specifically for pregnant/postpartum women and children UNDER 5 - government program part of social services

Find a food co-op near you!

Angel Food Ministries – listings by state

HOUSING AND UTILITIES

HEAP
utility assistance - government program part of social services

FEMA NATIONAL SITE

HUD - RENTAL ASSISTANCE
If you need rental assistance this is the place to start. Subsidized housing is based on your income and often times it is much quicker to get into a subsidized apartment than to wait for a Section 8 Subsidy approval
Also check out how subsidized rent is determined

HUD/SECTION 8/Govt subsidized housing
Section 8 housing usually has a long list because the subsidy is attached to the person, not the property. This means that regardless of where the person lives, they still get the subsidy. In NY the waiting list is 8-10 years.

****If at anytime, you are denied accessibility to applying for any program, you should contact your local city, county, or state leaders and have them intervene on your behalf. - THIS APPLIES TO ANYONE WHO IS DENIED ASSISTANCE.

HOWEVER, there is another alternative. Subsidized housing where the subsidy stays with the property rather than with the renter. You would still pay the same amount of rent - it is based on your income - but you would have to move into a government subsidized property.

In most cases, these are handicapped accessible, family oriented, all the maintenance is included - among other things.

I am including the link for HUD below - just click on the proper state and take it from there. You will need a minimal security deposit - which you may be able to get from social services or another charitable organization.

Regardless of how long the list is you should still be able to be put on the list.
Contributed links:

hud rental assistance

fair housing act

home page

Americans with disabilities act homepage

HOUSING ASSISTANCE COUNCIL
Does NOT help individuals, BUT does have a lot of information and links for individuals- please browse through the site for more information.

WORK AND SCHOOL

Department of Labor
Can assist with: unemployment, job search, resumes, job training, wage and hour, layoffs, overtime, workplace safety, retirement and health benefits, and disability questions.
Ways to Work
How can you work if you have no transportation? Most social services programs do offer bus passes to help you get to and from work. This is different. This is NOT part of social services. This is a LOAN program specifically for low income families in need of a car or car repair, who do NOT qualify for conventional loans. They have their own set of requirements and are NOT available in every state.

http://www.alliance1.org/Programs/Waystowork.htm

Free Application for Federal Student Aid - FAFSA
government grants to finance your education

MEDICAL HELP

FREE MEDICAL CAMPS

United Health Care Childrens Foundation
Grants, up to $5,000, can help families pay for the costs associated with therapies such as speech, physical and psychotherapy sessions; for medical equipment such as wheelchairs, braces, hearing aids and eye glasses; and for orthodontia and dental treatments.

Childrens Healthcare Emergencies

United Health Care Children’s Fund might be able to help. "Grants, up to $5,000, can help families pay for the costs associated with therapies such as speech, physical and psychotherapy sessions; for medical equipment such as wheelchairs, braces, hearing aids and eye glasses; and for orthodontia and dental treatments."

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
assistance with medications for those without insurance

Donated Dental services
In each state at least one program coordinator is responsible for determining that applicants are either disabled, elderly or medically compromised and have no other way for paying for dental care.

Together Rx
discount card for prescriptions

GREAT DISCOUNT MEDICAL CARD

http://dwesley1981.aidpage.com/about.htm

GRANTS LOANS AND WISHES

evander holyfield foundation

MODEST NEEDS
non-profit organization reaching out to hard-working individuals and families who suddenly find themselves faced with small, emergency expenses that they have no way to afford on their own

OPEN DIRECTORY PROJECT
Listing of organizations which grant wishes to disabled, terminally ill, children and adults.

Prosper
loan program for people - from people

AZOGROUP.COM

How To Locate Small Business Grants,
Government Grants, and Other Grant Money

MISCELLANEOUS RESOURCES

(In other words, I wasn’t sure where to put these!)

Toys for Tots
Christmas assistance for families with children

Credit counseling

· CCCS

· NFCC

· money management. Org

· credit.org

• pro bono financial planning assistance

ATTORNEYS

• probono attys
• divorce source

PETS

If you need financial assistance, for a pet who is ill, check out this page:
National financial assistance organizations for pets

nichy org - resources

a series of Web resource pages on topics of high interest and concern. They're intended to connect you quickly with a range of resources, materials, and guidance on these topics.

is it a scam?

fraud and scam information

GRASSROOTS.ORG
This is one site you have to see for yourself! If you want to start a non-profit, volunteer, get involved, or just do some research, this is the place to start!

SEX OFFENDERS

Is there a sex offender living near you? find out here

We are a young couple that have a great chance at concieveing if we do this procedure while I am still young. We pray for this all the time, So if it be God's will in Jesus name it will be. If you can't help could you please just pray for my husband and I.

Please e-mail us for more information: May God Bless You

I am a smi disabled mother of two. I am single and I need dental as well as a well check up. I also am in need of housing that I can afford if you have any referrals I would be grateful I am homebound In the Phoenix pv school areas. You can contact me at bonjovi4ever73@yahoo.com

Levi is suffering with seizures and has been strongly advised to have a CAT scan and spinal fluid tap to find the cause.

I receive social security disability in the amount of $779.00. I need financial grant to

please help me pay for my follicular lymphoma cancer treatment and to also help me

to pay my monthly bills. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

Have a Blessed Day!

I am a disabled vietnam era veteran. About two years ago I suffered two strokes and saw first hand the obstacles that people and families in need go thru when they are struck with an unforeseen incident. The world can turn into a cruel and cold and lonely place. It seems that the only visitors that approach you are people that want to take their pound of flesh. All the collectors come to collect their debts and there is no way of holding them off. Sometimes families are forced to make harsh and rash decisions just in order to survive the tradegy.

I do not want anyone to feel the way that I did when I had my strokes. Dealing with the feeling of complete loss and disarry of your life only compounds itself on your situation. It harms both you and the family around you in so many ways. The emotional, physical and financial strain can become unbearable. Along with the illness and long sleepless nights you are also plagued with the ever approaching feeling of doom. THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO SURVIVE!!!

I was able to first hand experience this and to speak with others that have gone through these incidents also. There are a few basic needs that must be met in order to get through this crisis safely and remain in a stable environment.

Basic needs include but are certainly NOT limited to:

Food / Shelter / Medical Care

Knowing that someone cares and that there are people who can or want to help, makes a big difference in bridging the gap to becoming healthy and viable again.

What I have decided to do and wish to attempt to pass on to people are both the basic needs and the knowledge that there are others that care and sympathize with people in need.

I hope to help bridge the gap between the needs and the needy!

I am starting a non-profit organization to help veterans and their families cope with the difficult and rocky time between receiving either their benfits or their pension. I wish to exted this service also to the homeless in need.  

I need help to get this venture started. Any help from you would help out the cause greatly!!!  One of the things that we need too do is purchase wholesale/discount/surplus items to raise  funds for the cause.  
  We can't do this without you and there are people waiting to be helped. Please help us bridge the gap between the needed and needy.

I want to be an organization that ACTUALLY helps, not just a name that people are turned away from when they are in need.

I HAVE LOST MY HUSBAND OF 30 YEARS IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS DUE TO THE EXTREME COST OF HIS CARE I DONT HAVE THE MONEY DO TAKE CARE OF HOME INPROVMENTS/HEALTH COVERAGE/BILLS/SEPTIC TANK REPLACEMENT / I HAD TO TAKE OUT A LOAN AGANIST MY CAR JUST TO LIVE ALSO THE COASR OF GAS

My husband and I need to go through invetroinfertilization and insurance won't pay for it. It is very costly and we need help.. PLease help our dreams come true so that we may have a baby....

renvate old homes

get funding to support it

get a program togather get jobs

help with there needs

and give medical attentions

Thankyou for taking the time to look at this. Four years ago I was working and suffered a major heart attack requiring open heart surgery. It was my intention to bring my wife here to America before that happened. Even though that happened I returned to work with that same goal in mind. However I suffered a 2nd heart attack and I had not been able to obtain affordable health insurance due to my first attack. Because I was uninsured at the time of my 2nd attack I have been bankrupted and have lost my home here. I can no longer survive here due to my present circunstances and cannot receive the medical care that I need. I am desperately trying to return to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia where I can be with family and also get the medical attention that I need. Not many companies are willing to let you work here with a serious heart condition so my attempts to have an income have all been short term. I need to raise $5000 dollars for plane fare, get medications, and to settle a few remaining debts. I would be grateful for any amount that anyone would grant me to reach my goal. I am trying to reach Malaysia by mid October. Please if there is any way that you can help either financially or direction for assistance; your help would be appreciated and never forgotten.

 Thank-you for reading,

Karl

614-483-9204

geka2325@aol.com  

when our son went to war in jan of 2003 our world fell apart. I was laid off, everything that could break in the house did or quit working. then my husband lost his job. We both took the war down a different path and for some reason he has kept going down the path and has since been diag with bi polor, has attemped suicide, in now in a hosp because the mental health system is so poorly funded that they had him going in  circles because not one person knew what they were doing. he has applied for disability and is waiting but this is his second trip to the mental hosp. I cant find any help with any of our utilities, or our mortgage payment. we have filed bankruptcy and it is pretty much done now but his ailment is keeping him from finding a job. he has worked hard and provided well and we are going on 30 years of marriage. where can i get some answers for any assistance.  thanks karen

I need a grant so that I can work at home and be with my kids, I have looked everywhere and found nothing I do know there is info out here but where, I have no job and I need to work. If I have to, when I make the money, I'll pay it back

I am looking for help in paying medical bills brought on by the death of my 11 month old daughter.  We have used up all our credit cards, and am sinking slowly.  We are needing any information about assistance, funding, grants, organizations, anything that could help us out.

I'm a 25 year old white female from Louisville, Kentucky. Since last summer I've had financial difficulty. I lost my job due to downsizing and was unemployed from July '04 until January '05. During that time my credit card balances soared and I had to borrow money to get by. After I found another job in February I thought things  would start to get better, but I couldn't afford much more than the minimum balance due on my loans. I filed for bankruptcy in March. I lost my '03 Honda in the bankruptcy and had to fix up my '93 Honda to get back and forth to work. The engine blew and I had no choice but to borrow money from friends and family to get the car repaired. After the engine was put in, several other things went bad and had to be replaced as well. Now I owe $5,000 to friends and family who really need the money back. I've tried applying for loans, but having a recent bankruptcy I keep getting denied. I'm actively seeking a 2nd job, but would really like to get a loan to pay back those I owe since they really need the money back soon. Email me if you would like more info about my situation rmiles23@yahoo.com

Thanks for taking the time to read about my situation.

My name is Andrew Scott Rubinoff, and I am an American living in the Phillipines.
 I am 42 years old, and have a wife and a  2 sons.
  I am currently living on a small disability pension ($557.00 a month),
 which is very hard for my family and I.  I was recently diagnosed with an intestinal
 hernia, which is now protruding from my stomach approx. 13 inches in diameter.

I am in need of surgery to repair the intestinal hernia before it ruptures; if it ruptures,
 I will die.  Of course, living on such a small amount makes having the surgery
that will save my life a mere hope.  I have contacted the US Embassey here in Manila,
  they say they cannot help.
On dec 27 i was in a head on collision while riding my motorcycle the other driver was found at fault but his insurance only covered
1/4 of the expensise occured by the accident and he took off hiding so he could avoid paying the rest of the bills .
which totaled over 90,000 pesos which converted to dollars comes to $1,957.
then on jan 21 my wife had to rush me to the hospital only to find out that i needed an emergency operation
to remove my gallbladder which was badly infected and damaged and also had a gallstone 2 inches in diameterthat was a total of 190,000 pesos which in dollars comes out to $4,045.00

Here the operation is simple and inexpensive about $190,000 pesos which comes out to $4,045  plus medication and follow-up
 doctors' visits yet I cannot bear the thought of leaving my wife and sons behind
.
my wife  and i are in so much debt do to the medical problems with my small pension we cant pay all of our bills and i dont have enought money to buy food
for us or milk and diapers for my 2 baby boys or pay for the injections they need for their vacinations or for their vitiamins .
i am emmbarrsed but i am begging any one for any help they can give us please.
  IF I CAN GET ANY ASSISTANCE FOR ANY OF
THE FOLLOWING  I WOULD BE VERY THANKFUL
 I NEED HELP TO HAVE MY OPERATION BEFORE IT IS TO LATE AND ANY OTHER ASSISTANCE  IF I CAN GET A SPONSOR FOR MY WIFE TO GO TO THE U.S SO SHE CAN WORK AND I CAN MAYBE HAVE MY OPERATION THERE AT NO COST
AND ALSO I CAN BRING MY 2 SONS WHOM I CAN REGISTER HERE AS AMERICAN CITIZENS AND THEY WILL HAVE THEIR AMERICAN PASSPORTS OR IF ANY ONE CAN HELP FINANCIALLY  SO I CAN GET BACK ON MY FEET  I CAN PAY IT BACK IN SMALL AMOUNTS EVERY MONTH  BUT THE TOTAL AMOUNT NEEDED TO PAY THE HOSPITAL BILLS FOR THE PAST AND FOR THE OPERATION I NEED NOW COMES TO 470,000 PESOS WHICH COMES TO IN DOLLARS A TOTAL OF $10,000
PLEASE ANY HELP IN ANY WAY YOU CAN  I WOULD BE IN YOUR DEBT
Sincerely,
Andrew Scott Rubinoff
CONTACT INFO: PLEASE VISIT MY WEB SITE WWW.HELPSAVEANDREW.COM or
EMAIL ME AT ARUBINOFF1@YAHOO.COM

Over a year ago my husband and I lost our 11 month old daughter.  Since then we have been overwhelmed with medical bills.  We tried recently to get pregnant again and it ended up in a seven day stint in the hospital.  So we have added more bills to our already extensive debt.  We are needing help in finding ways to pay for all of our medical expenses.  We have put so much on credit cards just trying to stay afloat.  If anyone knows of any help please let us know. 

I work and go to school. I'm trying to make a good life for my little girl. I thank God she is too small to know mommy is having trouble paying bills. I hope she can understand no birthday party in a couple of weeks. I have about 3 months of school left and will have a degree in medical billing and hopefully then start physical therapy aide program. I was able to get grant money for school. But right now I need help getting things cuaght up. Me being sick has put me about $2500 behind on my bills. It's to the point now where I question what is the most important thing to pay. I am back to work but still have to have surgery, which I will be paid while I'm out for that. I just need help getting things caught up now. Any prayers would be helpful if nothing else can be done to help.

colon cancer research
graduate student

This is our friend KC who is suffering from a severe case of lymphedema.  The doctor wants to amputate his leg.  There is a therapy office here that has a staff that have volunteered their time to treat him but they cannot cover the cost of the medical supplies associated with his treament. It's a very small portion of what it would normally cost but we just don't have the money to pay for it.  We are looking for any assistance or advice on where to apply for grants to help with the treatment.  Verification of his story, his condition and the credentials are available upon request.  Please send all inquiries, press contacts etc. to savemyleg@gmail.com.

Thanks to anyone who can help.

Friends of KC

I am a stay-at-home mom with 2 children still at home. Please allow me to tell you about myself. When I was very young, my parents divorced. I grew up with 2 families of dysfunctional and abusive parents and step-parents. I became pregnant with my first child at the age of 18, right out of high school. I was blessed with a beautiful daughter. Unfortunately, I was forced to raise her alone. It seemed I was cursed, as every man I began a relationship with turned out to be physically and/or mentally abusive. I can't count the number of times I was hit in the face or slammed against the wall. With my parent's history, I believed this was normal behavior. Then about 11 years ago, God blessed me by introducing me to my husband. He is a good, decent, loving man who taught me the true nature of love and life. It took me a long time to change my thinking and accept normal love. God has blessed us with 2 children together, a boy and a girl. Unfortunately, my abusive past has left me with scars and agony. I learned a few years ago that my lower back was injured severely and I am in constant pain. Multiple childbirths aggravated the injury. I am on several, hard, pain medications to help me make it through my normal days. Also, the repeated hits to my mouth injured my teeth and jaws to the point that my teeth are deteriorating rapidly. I am unable to eat many foods and I find my teeth break off frequently. All of this also causes me constant pain.

I am in need of extensive, dental surgery to save or replace my teeth and end that portion of my pain. I am also in need of back surgery to hopefully restore at least partial stability to my back and end that portion of my pain.

Unfortunately, my husbands insurance does not cover but a small portion of my needs and none of the dentists or doctors will begin the necessary procedures without a full, advance payment.

 My husband has worked 2 jobs since we were married in an attempt to pay our bills and take care of me. He lost his best-paying job last year and we are now seriously past due on most of our bills, including our mortgage.

I am hoping that with the help of God and some caring, compassionate people, I might be able to have the  dental and medical treatments I need to smile again. My husband has given me a reason to smile for the first time in my life. Please help me.

My dream is to become a licensed counselor to help other people free themselves from the horrors of drugs and abuse. Without the medical and dental treatments I need, this dream will never come true.

My plea is for my daughter, Jenna, who needs assistance with medical bills and dental work.  I will be glad to discuss in detail her situation which led up to where she is now.  Just email me through this website .

Briefly, Jenna was in third year of college (pre-med, honor student) when she was diagnosed with Scheurerman's Disease (a spinal condition) that resulted in six discs herniating at once.  She had to drop out of school and began a year of treatment hell; spinal injections, steroids, etc.  All the time she kept up her part-time job working 20 hours a week so she wouldn't lose health insurance.

She no sooner got that under control when she needed surgery for a related condition and suffered from complications from the surgery.  She spent the next two years in and out of the hospital - some hospital stays as long as six weeks - and eventually her COBRA insurance (we paid the premiums for her) expired.  She applied for -and was granted-disability income, but had a total of four months of no insurance.  Her Medicare coverage will be effective 12/1/07.

She is trying to get back on her feet now that her health issues are pretty much taken care of.  However, she has extensive counseling ahead of her (which Medicare will pay) for PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and it will be at least another 6 mos to a year before she can return to school and/or work.  We have tapped our finances dry and cannot help with the bills any longer.

Not only has she been diagnosed with PTSD, but her ill health for the past three years has destroyed her teeth and she needs extensive dental work (not covered by Medicare).

If you think you could help, (perhaps you know a dentist in the Seattle area who would be willing to work for free) please contact me.  I'm not sure how to handle any incoming money yet, but had thought of having it be directed to an attorney who could act as an administrator of a trust in Jenna's name so that people can be assured that money goes where it is supposed to - for medical and dental bills.

I am a single mother raising two teenagers.  Im not on aidpage for no one particular reason, there are many.  Most of us on here are going and/or have gone through some hard times.  I am in hope of meeting new friends and lending a shoulder if someone should need some emotional support.  In return you may find that I am in need of your shoulder as well.

I am trying to live with the fact that my 17 year old son has a rare disease known as Wegeners Granulomatosis and there is no cure.  This disease was caught in some of the last stages, therefore he is catagorized as terminal.. So, I can feel everyones pain who is having a trying time as well..  Maybe this site will help keep our minds off of things for a bit, thats what I am hoping for..  If there is anything I could do for anyone I would, I can offer you a friend or just someone to talk to..

If there are any doctors or medical proffesionals on the site, I would be so grateful if you could tell me more about this disease.. Thanks

I have been diagnosed with heart problems and a growth on my thyroid, at the SAME TIME!  We have no insurance so the bills are piling up fast.  I have to have a procedure done in the hospital and it costs $6,000 just to get in the door! 

Does anyone know where I can seek help with these bills?  We don't make much money but it doesn't seem like we qualify for Medicaid.  THanks!

I am unable to work from injuries from an automobile accident, and I need to get bills paid, and need to be able to see a speacilalist to try to fix my neck.  I can't afford medical insurance, and the state wont help me.

I am at wit's end.  My partner is waiting for disability from the government and has been out of work for more than a year now.  So, we're living on what little I make working at a non-profit organization.  I get medical insurance at work, but we're having to pay over $400 a month just in premiums and then another $200+ a month for meds and doctor visits!  I only make about $1,200 a month, so paying rent and other expenses is getting tougher and tougher.  Can anyone out there help?  Our credit is in the toilet since we've been late on bills and had our car repoed because we couldn't make the payments, so a loan is out.  Plus, we'd have to pay back a loan and I have no idea if she will be approved for disability or when, so that would be hard to do too.  Thank you for any help you can give.